I realize the potential cost of an Aurora would be great in comparison, but I was under the impression the Blackbirds were retired because of operating and maintenance costs. I seem to recall reading that to refine and produce the fuel alone was costing several billion dollars. I only ask for a million, that should be drop in the bucket. Talk to Clinton. I'll try to find him and get whatever specifics he has.
All successful reentries are testimony to the existence of some form of hypersonics technology.
As far as the airbreathing stuff is concerned, we could have done something in the late 60's, if we wanted to. We're still not sure we want to, that's what bothers me. It probabaly had the equivalent maintenance budget of a B-52 aircraft. They said they could not afford both elements. I'm from the government, I'm here to help.