Aiming at the remote sensing satellite on-board target localization and recognition, this paper is oriented to application requirements of rapid response. Firstly, the working pattern of on-board target localization and recognition is studied, and two patterns which include the narrow and the broad sense are summarized. Secondly, image-object space coordinates bidirectional localization algorithm is sorted out, and ideas of automatic on-board recognition algorithm for typical ground objects are proposed. Finally, the application method and procedure of the algorithm are given, which provides references to on-board intelligent processing method for rapid response productions.