Assertion (A): Artificial satellites are always launched from the earth in the eastward direction. Reason (R): The earth rotates from west to east and so the satellite attains the escape velocity.

- Assertion (A) states that artificial satellites are always launched from the earth in the eastward direction. This is largely true for launches aiming for prograde orbits (orbiting in the same direction as Earth's rotation). Launching eastward takes advantage of the Earth's rotational velocity, giving the rocket an initial speed boost and thus requiring less fuel to reach the desired orbital velocity. - Reason (R) states that the Earth rotates from west to east and so the satellite attains the escape velocity. While it is true that the Earth rotates from west to east and this rotation contributes an initial velocity, it is incorrect to say that the satellite "attains the escape velocity" because of this rotation in the context of a typical launch into Earth orbit. Most artificial satellites are launched into orbits around the Earth, not sent on trajectories to escape Earth's gravity. Escape velocity is significantly higher than typical orbital velocities. The Earth's rotation assists in achieving orbital velocity more efficiently, not necessarily escape velocity, and certainly doesn't cause the satellite to attain escape velocity on its own.