The mission isn't just about watching an asteroid fly by. ExLabs wants to collect important data that could help protect Earth from future risks and push forward deep-space exploration.
With NASA's budget stretched thin, co-founder James Orsulak says it's more important than ever to focus on planetary defense.
ExLabs also hopes to make deep-space projects more affordable and innovative by turning them into commercial ventures, a move even former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine supports.