Polarimetric characteristics are used in polarization remote sensing as detective information. It is able to detect the low reflective parts and outline of targets. Polarization remote sensing can also get the threedimensional information of targets in complicated backgrounds,solve the problem of atmosphere and camouflage detection. The rationale of polarization remote sensing is introduced. The present research of equipments of polarization remote sensing and polarimetric characteristics of targets are particularly expatiated. The development of polarization remote sensing in the future is also pointed out in the paper.