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Friday, March 28, 2025

Do satellites work through clouds?

GROK SAYS Yes, satellites can work through clouds, but it depends on the type of satellite and the technology it uses. Many satellites, like those used for communication (e.g., TV or internet signals), operate using radio waves, which can penetrate clouds without much trouble.

These signals travel between the satellite and ground stations or receivers, and clouds typically don’t block them because radio waves have long wavelengths that pass through water vapor and small particles.

However, satellites that rely on visible light, like some imaging satellites taking high-resolution photos, can be affected by clouds. Clouds block or scatter visible light, so these satellites might not get clear images when it’s cloudy.

That said, other imaging satellites use infrared or radar (like synthetic aperture radar, SAR), which can "see" through clouds by detecting heat or bouncing radio waves off the surface, making them effective even in bad weather.

So, in short: yes, most satellites work fine through clouds, especially if they’re not dependent on visible light. Weather might mess with optical imaging, but that’s about it.

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