The satellite has a mass of 2,100 kg (4,600 lb), provides 5.9 kilowatts to its payload, and a planned operational lifespan of 15 years.

The satellite carried 62 transponders: 24 operating in the C-band of the electromagnetic spectrum, 12 in the Ku-band and 2 in the L-band.

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

[1] Ekspress-AM8 was originally to be launched in 2012 or 2013 into RSCC's 14° West longitude, but was delayed to 2015.

It used a Proton-M / Blok DM-03 launch vehicle to be inserted directly into geostationary orbit.