The Intelsat VI series was constructed by Hughes Aircraft, based on the HS-389 satellite bus.
[2] Intelsat 604 was launched at 11:19 UTC on 23 June 1990, atop a Commercial Titan III carrier rocket, flight number CT-3, with an Orbus-21S upper stage.
[2][3] The launch took place from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,[5] and successfully placed Intelsat 604 into a geosynchronous transfer orbit.
[6] Intelsat 604 initially operated in a geostationary orbit with a perigee of 35,692 kilometres (22,178 mi), an apogee of 35,887 kilometres (22,299 mi), and 0.3 degrees of inclination,[4] however over time this became more inclined.
[2] Following its arrival in geostationary orbit, Intelsat 604 was deployed at a longitude of 38 degrees west.