Starlink 17-35: Booster B1103 Targets Debut Flight from Vandenberg After Multiple Scrubs

SpaceX targeted the Starlink Group 17-35 mission for launch from SLC-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base on April 6, 2026, with a window opening at 4:03 p.m. PDT (2303 UTC). The mission carries 25 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites to sun-synchronous orbit, and will mark the first flight of new booster B1103 — SpaceX's latest Falcon 9 first stage, expanding the active booster fleet that supports the company's ~140-launch 2026 cadence. The booster was scheduled to land on drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You' (OCISLY) in the Pacific Ocean approximately 8 minutes after liftoff. The mission suffered four consecutive scrubs (March 28, April 1, April 2, April 5) before the April 6 attempt, primarily due to weather and range conditions at Vandenberg. A successful launch would push SpaceX's 2026 total to 41 Falcon 9 missions and continue expanding the Starlink constellation now exceeding 10,000 active satellites.