Procured by the joint venture Lockheed Martin Intersputnik, the ABS-1 (LMI-1) satellite was launched to 75° E on September 27, 1999.

ABS-1 carries 44 high-power transponders in C (28 transponders @ 36 MHz) and Ku bands (16 transponders @ 27 MHz). The lifetime of the satellite is 15 years.

The satellite has four beams.

C band:

• Beam A (standard C band) with global coverage of Russia, the CIS countries, Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe;
• Beam B (standard C band) with hemispheric coverage of Russia, the CIS countries, Asia and Europe.

Ku band:

• Northern beam with zone coverage of Russia, the CIS countries, eastern and central Europe;
• Southern beam with zone coverage of South and South-East Asia and the Middle East.

Telemetry, tracking and control functions are performed by the А2100 satellite series control facility in Sunnyvale, Ca., using a command and test system at Dubna, Russia.

* Lockheed Martin Intersputnik (LMI), a joint venture of Intersputnik and Lockheed Martin Corporation, was established in June 1997 for the purpose of launching and operating advanced telecommunications satellites. Within the framework of this JV, LMI procured and launched the LMI-1 satellite. Since that moment Intersputnik has been responsible for sales of LMI-1 capacity. In September 2006, LMI Ltd. of Lockheed Martin Corporation was bought by Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS), and the LMI-1 satellite was re-named ABS-1. Under an agreement with ABS, Intersputnik continues to market and sell ABS-1 satellite capacity.