The centripetal force acting on a satellite in orbit

A. acts as an unbalanced force on the satellite.

B. changes the direction of the satellite.

C. is a center-directed force.

D. all of the above

The centripetal force (of gravity) on a satellite in orbit is an

unbalanced force (because there's no equal force pulling

the satellite away from Earth), changes the direction of the

satellite (into a closed orbit instead of a straight line), and

always acts toward the center of whatever curve the satellite

happens to be on at the moment.