5.2 Force Needed for Circular Motion Getting into Orbit

 

Explanation: As discussed in Section 5.2, any object in circular orbit is subject to a centripetal force.  The only force acting on the mass in this case is the gravitational force. Consequently, to remain in circular orbit, the centripetal force has to be equal to the gravitational pull.  Example 5.13 is an illustration of the same concept for an object at any circular orbit.

Source: Fu-Kwun Hwang