The new imaging strategy based on a deep space explorer was proposed for two celestial bodies on-orbit operation. A field of view model was established based on the performance parameters of a camera. Then, the orbit dynamic model of celestial bodies and the explorer, attitude data of the explorer, and illumination condition were analyzed synthetically. Finally, the camera of shooting, the time of imaging and the attitude of imaging were defined. By taking the design of circumlunar return and reentry spacecraft of the 3rd phase of China lunar exploration program as an example, the camera, imaging time, and the attitude of imaging were calculated. The imaging strategy was verified using the on-orbit exploration effect simulation system. The results show that the strategy can obtain imaging conditions expediently and accurately based on the requirement of composition of projected celestial body and the angular deviation is in the range of 1°. The imaging strategy for two celestial bodies was successfully applied to circumlunar return and reentry spacecraft. By accurate imaging, the earth-lunar images are achieved at lunar distance of 1.40×104 km and at earth distance of 3.91×105 km for the first time in space history in China. This imaging strategy might be used as a reference for two celestial bodies based on the deep space explorer on-orbit operation.