system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5- How are we able to send and receive data so fast through space from places as far as New Horizons reached at Ultima Thule? I understand there is a massive signal station, but 4.5 BILLION miles away? HOW.
gpt
All of this transmitted data is in the form of electromagnetic radiation (i.e. "light") that literally travels, at well, the speed of light, so even very long distances can be covered in very little time. There is also relatively little interference in outer space, so it doesn't take a terribly strong signal to cover a long distance.