Alcatel Space Industries was the prime contractor and provided the payload package. Space Systems/Loral, Palo Alto, California, supplied the LS 1300 satellite bus. The 4167 kg (9167 lbm) Europe*Star 1 is equipped with 30 Ku-band transponders. The satellite will operate in the Ku-band (Downlink 11.45-11.7 /12.5-12.75 GHz Uplink 14.0-14.5 GHz). The satellite is designed to have a 15 year lifetime, having 9.6 kW power at end-of-life. Europe*Star 1 will be positioned at 45°E to provide video and telecommunications transmission services for Europe, the Middle East, Southern Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and South East Asia.

Europe*Star 1 originally arrived at the Ariane spaceport to prepare for a launch on Flight 133. However, Europe*Star 1 was removed from that flight and replaced by NSAT 110, due to an undisclosed payload problem. To maintain its ITU license registry, it may be necessary for the satellite to be in its orbital position by October 29.

Europe*Star UK Ltd, London, is a joint venture between Alcatel SpaceCom and Loral Space & Communications, with interest held by the Dr. Schülte Hillen Group of Germany. It was established to market a complete range of telecommunications and data transmission satellite services, including video transmission, direct-to-home (DTH) TV broad-casting, Internet access and rural telephony.