The Gravitational Force on a Satellite in a Highly Elliptical

Multiple Choice

The gravitational force on a satellite in a highly elliptical orbit, after it passes the point of closest approach to the Earth and before it reaches the point of farthest separation from the Earth, has a component

A) in the same direction as the velocity of the satellite.
B) in the direction opposite to the velocity of the satellite.
C) Either of the previous answers is correct.
D) Neither of the previous answers is correct.