Circular and Satellite Motion - Mission CG8 Detailed Help


The net force acting upon an Earth-orbiting satellite is dependent upon the ____. 


 
Definition of a Satellite:
A satellite is an object that is orbiting some central body as a result of the sole influence of the gravitational attraction towards that body's mass.
A satellite is acted upon by only one force - gravity. The net force would be the force of gravity. The variables affecting this force would be based on Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation. See the Know the Law section below. 


 
Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation:
All objects with mass attract each other with a gravitational force. The magnitude of the force is directly related to the product of the masses and inversely related to the square of the separation distance between their centers.