Monitoring the resources, ocean and atmospheric environment on earth by space remote sensing can provide predictive information and security for human's living environment. Infrared remote sensing instruments are the main detection payloads for earth observation satellites. With the improvement of the performance of infrared detectors and system integration technology, the detection capability of space-based infrared remote sensing instruments is developing greatly. Various kinds of high-performance earth observation satellites launched all over the world over last five years are presented. The application status, function and characteristics of some important infrared remote sensing instruments are summarized. Their future development trends are analyzed.