GF-5 was the satellite to achieve hyper-spectral observation in Chinese Key Projects of High Resolution Earth Observation System. It was designed to run on sun-synchronous orbit. The orbit altitude was 705km and Local Time of Ascending Node was 13:30. Six payloads were carried on it. They were Advanced Hyper-spectral Imager(AHSI), Visual and Infrared Multispectral Imager(VIMI), Atmospheric Infrared Ultra-spectral Sounder(AIUS), Greenhouse Gases Monitoring Instrument(GMI), Environmental trace gases Monitoring Instrument(EMI), and Directional Polarization Camera(DPC). By using them, the satellite can obtain the hyper-spectral remote sensing data from ultraviolet to long wave infrared bands. The various observation means of hyper-spectral and Multi-spectral earth imaging, occultation and nadir observation for atmosphere, multi-angular polarization observation and ocean sun-glint observation were adopted. The highest spectral resolution was 0.03cm~(-1) and on-board calibration was provided. The radiometric calibration accuracy was better than 5% and the spectral calibration accuracy was up to 0.008cm~(-1). The satellite would play an important role in atmospheric environment monitoring, land and resources survey, and climate changing research.