Hotbird 8's mission is to replace existing Hotbird capacity and to join Hot Bird 7A in bringing in-orbit sparing to a level where 13° East can maintain its reputation as one of the most secure multi-satellite video neighbourhoods. The satellite has been designed to cover all 102 Ku-band transponders/frequencies at 13° East which means that it can substitute any transponder on the other Hotbird satellites.

Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center is a Moscow-based producer of spacecraft and space-launch systems, including the Proton and Rokot rockets and is currently developing the Angara rocket family. The Proton launch vehicle launches from Baikonur and Rokot launches from Baikonur and Plesetsk. Angara will launch from Plesetsk and Vostochny.