What pterional said. With modern optics and digital imaging, the SR-71 has become obsolete and with each flight costing well over $1.5 million, it was and easy decision to make. The U-2 however, flies much slower, uses much less fuel, can use standard JP-4 or JP-5 for fuel, and requires much less maintenance.
Also, the Aurora or X-47 as I think it is called, is an unmanned jet that will fly even faster than the Blackbird.
Thanks - with that said - why not use sats? My thinking is that our spies in the skies are not always orbiting where we want them when we want them. Sad to hear this brave pilot died.
"Also, the Aurora or X-47 as I think it is called, is an unmanned jet that will fly even faster than the Blackbird."
According to Nick Cook from Jane's Defence and Northrop Grumman, 'Aurora' was just the name of the prototype plane which was later developed into the B-2, but internet folks speculated it was some super-secret super-fast spyplane.