The satellite, to be positioned at 18°W, will be operated by the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT), to relay communications and television transmissions to North and South America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. This was the first spacecraft of seven Intelsat 9-series satellites ordered from Space Systems/Loral by Intelsat. Intelsat 901 was ordered in December 1996. Intelsat 901 will become operational in October, taking over for the Intelsat 705 satellite which will be repositioned to 53°W.

The 4723 kg (10,410 lbm) spacecraft carries 42 C-band and 14 Ku-band operating transponders, using the LS-1300 satellite bus. The satellite’s solar arrays will generate 10 kilowatts of power (beginning of life) and 8.6 kilowatts (end of life). The satellite is designed for a 13 year life.