Why Can't We Just Send Messages Through Space?

Imagine sending a message like a paper airplane. If you throw it across the room, it lands right there. But if you throw it to the moon, it has to travel a really long way, and we need something like a super strong whisper to make sure it arrives clearly.

Take the quiz →

Examples

Sending a message from Earth to the moon is like shouting across a big field, it gets quieter as it goes.
If you use a megaphone, your voice carries farther, that's how we send messages through space more clearly.
A radio wave can travel to Mars and back, but by then it’s almost like a whisper.

Ask a question

Discussion

Recent activity

Categories: Technology · space communication· radio waves· signal transmission· technology in space