What force causes the centripetal acceleration of a satellite in orbit?

An orbiting satellite is close enough to be acted upon by Earth’s gravity. This force is constantly pulling the satellite in toward the center of the earth – it is a centripetal force and causes a centripetal acceleration. At this height, however, Earth’s gravity is only about 8.7 m/s2.Click to see full answer. Also asked, what is the centripetal force acting on a satellite in orbit?The centripetal force required to keep the satellite in a circular orbit is mv2/r, where v is the orbital velocity of the satellite. The force of gravity that supplies this centripetal force is Gmem/r2, where me is the mass of the Earth (5.97370 × 1024 kg) and m is the mass of the satellite.Secondly, how does centripetal force due to gravity keep a satellite in orbit? Gravity supplies the necessary centripetal force to hold a satellite in orbit about the earth. The force of gravity in keeping an object in circular motion is an example of centripetal force. Since it acts always perpendicular to the motion, gravity does not do work on the orbiting object if it is in a circular orbit. Hereof, what force causes centripetal acceleration? A centripetal force can be provided by gravity (orbits) , the electric charge (electron orbits around a nucleus) or by a piece of string ( something being whirled arounds on a piece of string). So for circular motion there needs to be a force ( with some other cause) which is directed towards one point, the cntre.How does centripetal force keep planets in orbit?Centripetal force keeps the planets in orbit. According to Newton ‘s 1st law, all masses have inertia and would like to move at constant speed in a straight line. These objects have momentum. Earth wants to move straight but it is prevented from doing so due to the sun’s gravity.