Militarily, it's the lowest-flying and the most maneuverable spy satellite with a turning radius comparable to the size of an European mini/microstate. That's it.

Just speaking from a couch, maybe it's a simple 50:50 between the NASA administrator just wanting it flying and Boom Supersonic not doing fantastically. Anduril's mini F-16 drone having its air intake painted out in photos also comes to mind. Lessons learned by NASA from an SR-71 engine project is going to be invaluable for new entrants to supersonic planes and engines.