Do antenna farms on spacecraft make any sense or are they purely aesthetic?

Antenna farm as seen on the USS Sulaco from Aliens (1986)

We often see menacing sharp communication spikes and clusters on spacecraft in movies, shows, games, and etc. It makes the ship look more utilitarian and imposing. Since I'm a big fan of accurately represented hard science fiction designs, I've always asked myself: why does it need so many antennas? Does it make sense logically and realistically to have giant antenna farms attached to spacecraft? Or is this just aesthetic? (including military, non-military, and station designs.)

EDIT From comments

'Currently designing a Trans-Lunar cargo ship which ships glass manufactured on the Moon to Mars (maybe Callisto). I was thinking it would be automated with the front portion occupied with the main control module were I think putting a small antenna farm would be suitable (would make it look a bit nicer too). The radiators need to be probably hidden within the shadow shield so they don't radiate the neutrons back onto the spacecraft.' (edit requested by Elmy)

posted about 6 years ago

zertofi‭

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