I've thought the same thing.
$1.3 billion for such a craft is way over the line considering a 747 cost around $80-100 million. It's another example of wastful bureaucratic spending. A titanium framed lifting body with room for 6-8 people equiped with a small braking rocket and heat shielding could be built with off the shelf parts. All of the flight characteristics for lifting bodies has been well known for decades. Such a craft should cost no more than a F-15 or F-16.
Lee, ( lets use John Crichton's ship)