The satellite was based on the Intelsat V platform and its estimated useful life was seven years.

The arrays, supplemented by nickel-hydrogen batteries during eclipse, provided 1800 watts of power.

It could accommodate 15,000 two-way voice circuits and two TV channels simultaneously.

The satellite was successfully launched into space on 23 May 1981, at 22:42:00 UTC, by means of an Atlas SLV-3D Centaur vehicle from the CCAFS, LC-36B.

This spacecraft or satellite related article is a stub.