The third spaceship SZ 3 of China was launched in March 2002, in which the payload is Chinese moderate imaging spectra ra diometer (CMODIS). In this paper, first, the properties and characteristics of CMODIS are briefly introduced; second, the quality and availability are evaluated by means of the Complex signal noise ratio (CSNR) which is simulated theoretically; third, the received CMODIS data are compared with the Sea wide field of view sensor (SeaWiFS) / SeaSTAR data to understand the accuracy of radiance measurement by CMODIS; finally, the remote sensing products of ocean color and temperature are mapped by CMODIS to study its marine application potentiality. The results show that CMODIS has its latent capability for the application of marine environment detection, the management and protection of marine resources, and the national rights and interests. Meanwhile some suggestions are proposed to modify the next ge neration sensor on the Chinese spaceship. The third spaceship SZ 3 of China was launched in March 2002, in the the payload is Chinese moderate imaging spectra ra diometer (CMODIS). In this paper, first, the properties and characteristics of CMODIS are briefly introduced; second, the quality and availability third, the received CMODIS data are compared with the Sea wide field of view sensor (SeaWiFS) / SeaSTAR data to understand the accuracy of radiance measurement by CMODIS; finally, the remote sensing products of ocean color and temperature are mapped by CMODIS to study its marine application potentiality. The results show that CMODIS has its latent capability for the application of marine environment detection, the management and protection of marine resources, and the national rights and interests. At least some suggestions are being revised to the next ge neration sensor on the Chinese spaceship.