I think your latter point (about the value of asteroids) will have a much larger impact on the world and spacefaring in general than, say, observations about the temperature of an asteroid. If it turns out there's trillions worth of materials in asteroids, then I can guarantee the world's budget for spacefaring will go up a hundredfold within a few years.

Going to space for science (or beating the Russians) is one thing, going there for profit is a completely different matter and will attract heavy investors.