Abstract: As China′s deep space exploration endeavors advance，establishing lunar bases emerges as a predominant trend in its human spaceflight activities.Employing transcritical CO₂ heat pumps as integral components of base thermal control systems presents a viable solution for attaining efficient heat dissipation，offering potential reductions in both radiator area and thermal control system weight.The merits of transcritical CO₂ heat pumps in space applications were examined，encompassing aspects such as enhanced radiator heat dissipation efficiency，elevated performance coefficients of heat pump systems（COP），and the concomitant reduction of compressor dimensions.Concurrently，the challenges associated with implementing transcritical CO₂ heat pumps in space applications were delineated，including the inadequacy of extant thermodynamic models in catering to the demands of space applications and the suboptimal efficiency of oil-gas separation in low or microgravity environments for heat pumps.Finally，in light of these challenges，prospective research priorities were put forth to facilitate the adoption of transcritical CO₂ heat pumps in space applications.

Key words:  , transcritical CO₂ heat pump；lunar base；COP；spacecraft thermal control；oil-gas separation；low or microgravity