Part of the Ekspress series of geostationary communications satellites, it is owned and operated by the RSCC Space Communications.

The satellite has a mass of 2,050 kg (4,520 lb), provides 6.3 kilowatts to its payload, and a planned operational lifespan of 15 years.

The satellite carried 37 transponders: 16 operating in the C-band of the electromagnetic spectrum, 20 in the Ku-band and 1 in the L-band.

[3] The satellite is designed to provide TV and radio broadcasting services, data transmission, multimedia services, telephony, and mobile communications.

[4] The Ekspress-103 satellite entered in service at orbital position 96.5° East on 25 March 2021, where it replaced Ekspress-AM33.