Explanation

Creating a filter: in the original sentence, there's a problem with the conjunction. If one thing happens and then another thing happens, it's clearest to use the word "and." The participial phrase starting with "holding" would be more appropriate if the events were largely simultaneous and largely related. And "then" is not a conjunction.

Applying the filter: choices (B) and (E) have the same problem as (A) does. Choice (C) correctly and simply expresses the fact that one event comes after the other, using two verbs in a compound predicate. Choice (D) is not a sentence, since "they orbit" initiates a new independent clause without a conjunction. The correct answer is (C).