This is an asteroid called Psyche 16, with a diameter of about 140 miles. NASA is going to send a vehicle to orbit this rock.
The core is thought to be made up of exposed metallic iron, nickel, and gold, and if we were to mine it at today’s prices it would be worth $10 Quintilian.
NASA has morphed a bit, and with good reason. It has done a great deal of basic research and provided inspirational achievements for the last 60 years. But in the end, exploring space has to be useful and must contribute to the human race. This is a good start.
