The DirecTV 8 satellite provides selectable medium and high-power Ku-band broadcast services to the U.S. on up to 32 transponders. The service is optimized to support the current and next-generation higher coding rate services that DirecTV provides. The Ka-band payload uses the full 1,000 MHz of Ka-band communications bandwidth available to link DirecTV facilities as part of DirecTV's dramatic infrastructure development for the launch of local digital and high-definition services in the Ka-band. The satellite is designed to provide almost 8,500 Watts of DC power at the end of its 15-year mission life and weighs less than 3,800 kilograms at separation from the Proton launch vehicle.

The spacecraft is a version of SS/L's space-proven SSL-1300 satellite platform, which has an excellent record of reliable operation. The geostationary SSL-1300 has a designed service life of 15 years and maintains station-keeping and orbital stability by using bipropellant propulsion and momentum-bias systems.

A system of high-efficiency solar arrays and lightweight batteries provides uninterrupted electrical power.