This overview paper points out that one of the problems impeding further development of remote sensing is that not much attention has been paid to basic research. Key contents of basic research in remote sensing, including modeling, inversion, scaling and scientific experiments, are reviewed. Significance of basic research is demonstrated through summarizing the intentions and progress of the project “Quantitative Remote Sensing Research on Land Surface Energy Exchange”. This overview paper points out that one of the problems impeding further development of remote sensing is that not much attention has been paid to basic research. Key Contents of basic research in remote sensing, including modeling, inversion, scaling and scientific experiments, are reviewed. Significance of basic research is demonstrated through summarizing the intentions and progress of the project “Quantitative Remote Sensing Research on Land Surface Energy Exchange.”