How do radio waves propagate through space?

Radio waves propagate through space as electromagnetic waves traveling at the speed of light. Here’s how they move and behave in space:

1. Straight-Line Travel:
   Radio waves travel in straight lines unless reflected, refracted, or diffracted by objects.
2. No Medium Needed:
   Unlike sound, radio waves don’t need a physical medium—they can travel through the vacuum of space.
3. Reflection and Refraction:
   Radio waves can bounce off surfaces like the Earth’s ionosphere or spacecraft, which can extend their range or change their direction.
4. Diffraction:
   They can bend slightly around obstacles, helping signals reach areas not in direct line-of-sight.
5. Signal Attenuation:
   Over very long distances, radio waves spread out, causing signal strength to decrease (path loss).
6. Interaction with Atmospheric Layers:
   Some radio frequencies reflect off the ionosphere, enabling long-distance communication on Earth.