Which type of waves can travel through space, enabling communication with satellites and spacecraft?

Which type of waves can travel through space, enabling communication with satellites and spacecraft?

• A. Radio waves
• B. Ultraviolet rays
• C. X-rays
• D. Gamma rays

Answer: (A)

Radio waves are the type of electromagnetic waves that can travel through the vacuum of space, allowing signals to go from Earth to satellites and back. Their longer wavelengths let antennas be built at practical sizes to transmit and receive information, and the radio bands used for communication pass through the atmosphere with minimal loss, enabling reliable links over vast distances. Higher-energy waves like ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma rays interact strongly with matter and the atmosphere, while requiring specialized, high-power sources and shielding; they’re not suitable for routine, safe satellite communication.

Radio waves are the type of electromagnetic waves that can travel through the vacuum of space, allowing signals to go from Earth to satellites and back. Their longer wavelengths let antennas be built at practical sizes to transmit and receive information, and the radio bands used for communication pass through the atmosphere with minimal loss, enabling reliable links over vast distances. Higher-energy waves like ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma rays interact strongly with matter and the atmosphere, while requiring specialized, high-power sources and shielding; they’re not suitable for routine, safe satellite communication.