Question

Which mode of wave propagation is used to receive satellite communication signals?

Hint:

High frequency satellite signals travel in a straight line of sight path.

Answer 1

Step 1. Radio waves can travel from a transmitter to a receiver in three main ways: as ground waves, as sky waves, or as space waves.
Step 2. Ground waves travel close to the surface of the Earth and are used mainly for low frequency signals, but they lose strength quickly over long distances.
Step 3. Sky waves are used for medium and shortwave radio, they travel upward and get reflected back to Earth by the ionosphere, allowing them to cover long distances by bouncing between the ground and the ionosphere.
Step 4. Satellite signals use very high frequencies that are not reflected by the ionosphere, so they must travel in a straight, line of sight path directly between the transmitting antenna, the satellite, and the receiving antenna. This straight line, line of sight mode of travel is called space wave propagation.
Answer. Satellite signals are received through space wave propagation.