A satellite of mass M is in a circular orbit of radius R about the centre of the earth. A meteorite of the same mass, falling towards the earth, collides with the satellite completely inelastically. The speeds of the satellite and the meteorite are the same, just before the collision. The subsequent motion of the combined body will be (A) In a circular orbit of a different radius (B) In the same circular orbit of radius R (C) In an elliptical orbit (D) Such that it escapes to infinity