The orbiter and the rover Zhurong of China's Tianwen-1 Mars mission have restored communication with Earth and resumed scientific exploration, according to the Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center at the China National Space Administration.

Since September 13, operations on the two had been suspended due to the impact of an astronomical phenomenon known as solar conjunction.

Read more: Tech Breakdown: Why China's Mars rover lost communication

This happens about every two years, when Mars is on the opposite side of the sun from the Earth, temporarily hiding the two planets from each other. 

During the solar conjunction, the orbiter and the rover were put into "safe mode," as the sun's electromagnetic radiation could have greatly affected communication between them and ground control. The rover and orbiter paused activities and autonomously carried out health assessments, self-monitoring and troubleshooting.

The orbiter will enter its designed orbit to conduct detection of remote sensing on Mars in early November. Besides obtaining scientific data of the Red Planet, the orbiter will also ensure relay communication between the rover and ground control.