Why does a spacecraft lose direct signal behind the Moon?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Because the Moon blocks radio line-of-sight to Earth
Because the Moon blocks radio line-of-sight to Earth ✓ — Correct! Radio signals usually travel in near-straight lines, so when the Moon sits between Earth and the spacecraft, direct contact is temporarily blocked.
Because the far side is always darker and colder — Wrong. The far side is not permanently dark. It gets sunlight too. The problem is blockage, not darkness.
Because aliens on the far side mess with the signal — Wrong. There is no evidence that aliens are jamming the signal. The real issue is that the Moon physically blocks the path back to Earth.
More Astronomy & Space questions
- The Sun is cooler than the proton barrier suggests. Why does fusion still start?
- Earth's atmosphere slowly leaks to space. Which gas escapes fastest?
- Why is Earth's day getting slightly longer every century?
- Why was Earth's day stuck at 19.5 hours for 1.5 billion years?
- Why might several small units beat one giant Moon reactor?
- Why is fission likelier than fusion for first Moon bases?
