What is meant by circularly polarized electromagnetic waves?

The polarization of an electromagnetic wave is determined by the orientation of its electric field. In a circularly polarized wave, the electric field vector rotates in a circle perpendicular to the direction of propagation as the wave travels through space. This rotating field is highly advantageous for satellite communications, as it helps counteract fading caused by the satellite's physical tumbling or by atmospheric phenomena like Faraday rotation. Distractors often confuse this concept by suggesting the radio wave itself travels in a circular path around the Earth, or that it is created simply by using a circular loop antenna. However, it is strictly the rotation of the electric field vector that defines circular polarization.