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Well, first of all, sound is an energy wave. Energy waves DO in fact travel through space. Waves from energy that correspond to our ability to hear them audibly simply don't make it far (milimeters? not sure on the exact distance). Yes, light is both a particle AND a wave, but other waves ALSO travel through space. Hence we have satellites liberally scatterd in our orbit. Hence satellites are able to send pictures and data back from the edge of our solar system. How do you think those travel if not by waveform? Trolley? Can and strings?
As for similar shock, I doubt you can make a 100% proof positive case for there being no similar shock. First of all, it's never been done. Before the sound barrier was broken, nobody KNEW what a sonic boom was. The scientific community was more or less on the fence regarding what would happen. Maybe it would create a massively bright flash at the point. Maybe it would cause some quantum distrubance that could have some physical effect on the nearby space. You don't KNOW any better than I do. But speculating that it's impossible is not very scientifically-minded.
As for your first sentence, it makes me think you are not a science professional or student. First of all, there IS matter in space, just much MUCH less. There is no such thing as a perfect vaccuum, void of all matter, either in the lab or in space. Particle density simply dips to a nearly immeasurable level. As I said, sound may not travel very far... maybe milimeters, maybe nanometers... but the energy exists and therefore travels. If you are in space, and you are repairing a metal object. You hit it with a wrench. From arms length, you probably would NOT hear it... but the energy created still exists. You simply have no ability to have that energy propogate as sound to any useful distance because there is not enough matter to keep it going.
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