What does a lunar lander do?

A lunar lander is specifically designed to transport crew and equipment between the orbit of the moon and its surface. This technology is crucial for missions that aim to explore the moon, as it allows astronauts to safely descend to the lunar surface and return to the orbiting spacecraft. The design of a lunar lander includes features that enable it to navigate the moon's gravity, land softly on its surface, and take off again to reunite with the spacecraft in orbit.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary function of a lunar lander. Collecting samples from asteroids pertains to missions targeting those celestial bodies rather than the moon. Facilitating orbital repairs of satellites is a function related to space maintenance missions in Earth’s orbit, not lunar exploration. Serving as a relay station for lunar communications might be a role of orbital satellites or communications satellites but does not align with the purpose of a lunar lander, which is focused on the transport of crew and equipment.