Abstract: As a highly efficient aerospace electron source，hollow cathode is widely used in space electric propulsion system and spacecraft active potential control system.It is very important to study the coupling process of plasma characteristics and thermal characteristics to improve the efficiency of hollow cathode and prolong its life.Based on the analysis of the characteristics of the hollow cathode plasma and thermal coupling model and the measurement method of the hollow cathode parameters，it is suggested that studying zero-dimensional plasma and thermal coupling model of hollow cathode first to meet the simulation analysis requirements of hollow cathode，and then developing the two-dimensional plasma and thermal coupling model of hollow cathode to gradually improve the level of simulation analysis of hollow cathode.