LMI-1 (Lockheed Martin Intersputnik) was built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems and operates at an orbital location of 75 degrees East. Equipped with 44 high-power C- and Ku-band transponders, the satellite provides high-quality and reliable fixed-service telephony and direct broadcast television service. The satellite helps to satisfy the rapidly growing demand of Russian telecommunication and broadcasting companies for satellite capacity. The spacecraft is the first of several planned state-of-the-art satellites that are to provide connectivity to business and residential customers. In addition to its Russian coverage, LMI-1 is to deliver telecommunications services in the Commonwealth of Independent States, Eastern and Central Europe, Asia, and Africa.

LMI-1 is an A2100AX geostationary satellite manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems. The satellite was built in the company's state-of-the-art commercial satellite manufacturing facility in Sunnyvale, CA.

Hong Kong-based Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS), a newly-formed satellite operator, acquired in September 2006 Lockheed Martin Space Communications Ventures (LMSCV) and Lockheed Martin Intersputnik (LMI) from Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications (LMGT). As a result of the transaction, LMSCV and LMI have been renamed Asia Broadcast Satellite Holdings and Asia Broadcast Satellite, respectively. The LMI-1 satellite has also been renamed ABS-1. The capacity used by KT Telecom is referred to by the designation Koreasat 7. Later the satellite was renamed ABS-6.