Question

Describe a recent unmanned space mission that used an orbiter and a lander

Answer 1

I chose the most recent NASA unmanned space mission which is:

Mars Science Laboratory (2011)

Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is a NASA mission to land and operator a rover named "curiosity" on the surface of Mars. It was launched November 26, 2011 and landed successfully on August 6, 2012 on the plains of Aeolis Pals in Gale Crater near Aeolis Mons (formerly "Mount Sharp"). On Mars it will help assess Mars habitability. It can chemically analyze samples by scooping up soil and drill rocks using a laser and sensor. The "curiosity" rover is about five times larger than the "Spirit" or "Opportunity" Mars Exploration Rovers and carries more that ten times the mass of scientific instruments. MSL was launched by an Atlas V 541 rocket and is designed to explore for at least 687 Earth days (1 Martian year) over a range of 5-20 km (2-12 miles)

Answer 2

The answer is Viking 1 and 2 that explored Mars planet. Both were launched in 1975 and their mission ended in 1980. The main objectives of the orbiters and landers were to take pictures of the planet, collect samples, and conduct experiments to find signs of life on the planet.