NASA's James Webb and Curiosity enter TIME magazine's "Hall of Fame"

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and NASA’s Curiosity rover, entered in TIME’s “Best Inventions Hall of Fame”. (Image: NASA GSFC/NASA JPL)

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has earned major global recognition. The Curiosity Mars rover has received the same prestigious honour. Both missions entered TIME magazine’s "Best Inventions Hall of Fame". The recognition celebrates inventions delivering lasting scientific impact. TIME highlighted technologies reshaping knowledge across generations.

The James Webb Space Telescope orbits far from Earth at the Sun–Earth second Lagrange point. This location sits about 1.5 million kilometres from Earth in deep space. James Webb observes newborn stars, distant galaxies and exoplanet atmospheres there. Its discoveries continue rewriting textbooks on cosmic origins.

Carina Nebula captured in infrared light by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (Image: NASA/ESA/CSA)

On Mars, the Curiosity rover continues active exploration. Curiosity operates on the surface inside Gale Crater on the Red Planet. The rover’s onboard laboratory still analyses soil and rock samples. Curiosity has been operating for more than a decade. This rover detected organic molecules preserved in ancient rocks. The rover continues operating far beyond its planned lifespan.

TIME’s Hall of Fame honours sustained influence, not novelty. James Webb and Curiosity deliver discoveries years after launch. Their success reflects decades of engineering excellence.

“NASA does the impossible every day, and it starts with the visionary science that propels humanity farther than ever before,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington.

NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover used two different cameras to create this selfie in front of Mont Mercou in Mars (Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)

NASA’s Webb telescope and Curiosity rover were inducted into TIME magazine’s Best Inventions Hall of Fame. The honour recognises inventions with lasting global impact and discovery potential. Both missions, James Webb and Mars' Curiosity represent decades of engineering, international collaboration and scientific ambition.

TIME highlights their enduring value, rather than novelty or short-term impact. Their inclusion reflects NASA’s success in creating platforms for long-term discovery.

Advanced engineering enabled NASA's unprecedented observational precision. The international collaboration strengthened mission design and resilience. Adaptive software keeps instruments scientifically productive. Continuous data releases maintain global research engagement. James Webb and Curiosity remain platforms for future discoveries.