KH-11 was cheaper than KH-9 by far ($3B vs $16B inflation adjusted, both for 20 satellites), each KH-9 had 4 re-entry vehicles, so you could only really do 4 passes per satellite before needing a new one (or some way to replace the module that housed the RVs).
It's likely that 'we might need to bring them back...' was justification for USAF remaining as a voice in the shuttle program after KH-11 rendered the satellite fleet reusable, though.
It's likely that 'we might need to bring them back...' was justification for USAF remaining as a voice in the shuttle program after KH-11 rendered the satellite fleet reusable, though.