Final answer:
The statement is False (option B); VOR and ILS transmitters are typically managed by aviation authorities such as the FAA, not NASA, which focuses on aerospace research and uses radio technology for tracking spacecraft and radio astronomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that NASA maintains radio aids to navigation, such as VOR and ILS transmitters, is False. While NASA is involved in aerospace research and operates various types of communication systems, the maintenance and management of air navigation aids such as VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) and ILS (Instrument Landing System) typically fall within the purview of aviation authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States. These navigation aids are crucial for aircraft to navigate and land safely, especially in poor visibility conditions.
NASA does, however, utilize radio technology extensively for purposes such as tracking spacecraft, collecting astrophysical data through the use of large radar dishes, and conducting radar astronomy. Transmitting and receiving microwave signals are vital functions in these scientific operations. Radio astronomy has been enhanced by the development of interferometers, such as the VLA (Very Large Array), which helps astronomers create high-resolution images of the sky at radio wavelengths.