[10][11] Additionally, the satellite carried 12 bypropellant (N2O4-MMH) engines with 10 N of thrust each for attitude control and auxiliary maneuvers.

For governments and the military it offered three X-band of 110 W each and TWTA amplified (compatible with NATO Standards) with one spare.

This was later attributed to defects during production and made Matra Marconi Space choose Aérospatiale when building Hispasat 1B's antenna.

[23] During its service life it was monitored from Hispasat's headquarters in Arganda del Rey and Rio de Janeiro.

[24] Its operating life officially ended in July 2003 when the satellite was definitely moved to a graveyard orbit 7º W and since then it has been drifting 3.458º a day.

[25][26] During its 10 year service life, the Hispasat 1A accomplished a series of milestones for the aerospace industry of Spain such as:[27][28][29][30]