A team of scientists led by researchers at ASU is hoping to get the go-ahead from NASA to fly a mission to an asteroid called Psyche. But this is no ordinary asteroid — scientists think it could help explain a lot about our own planet.

Lindy Elkins-Tanton is leading this team — she’s director of ASU’s School and Earth and Space Exploration. She talked about mission.

The team is one of five finalists in NASA’s Discovery Program. The agency expects to pick one or two to fly; that decision is expected next week.