Abstract:Optical remote sensing for Earth observation is a strategic industry for the nation. The article provides an overview of several typical government-led civilian optical Earth observation projects abroad, detailing their initiation background, development process, current status, and future directions. Additionally, it explores the development history, current status, and upcoming development plans of optical remote sensing constellations established and operated by foreign optical commercial remote sensing companies. The paper outlines the key parameters of optical remote sensing instruments within these projects and briefly describes several commercial optical remote sensing constellation projects currently in progress. It summarizes foreign policies and regulations related to space satellite remote sensing and categorizes the four developmental phases of commercial remote sensing in the United States. Finally, it anticipates the development trends in the civilian optical Earth observation industry.