The thermal transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves through the vacuum of space is called

Radiation

Answer: Radiation

Explanation:

There are three ways in which the thermal transfer occurs:

1. By Conduction, when the transmission is by the direct contact.

2. By Convection, heat transfer in fluids (like water or the air, for example).

3. By Radiation, by the electromagnetic waves (they can travel through any medium and in vacumm)

So, in the outter space is vacuum, this means the energy cannot be transmitted by convection, nor conduction. It must be transmitted by electromagnetic waves that are able to travel with or without a medium, and this is called radiation.