The spacecraft, which weighs 2958-kg, is a multipurpose one for providing telecommunication, television broadcasting, meteorology and satellite aided search and rescue services. It carries 12 C-band, six upper extended C-band, six Ku-band and one search and rescue transponder.

The meteorological instruments consist of a Very High Resolution Radiometer, a Charge Coupled Device camera and a data relay transponder. The Ariane 5 for Flight 160 became a complete launch vehicle after the "topping off" activity in the Spaceport's final assembly building which took place on Tuesday.

Besides the INSAT 3A satellite, the launcher's upper section is composed of the SYLDA 5 multiple payload deployment system. On Tuesday the upper section was positioned over the GALAXY XII spacecraft, which was integrated on the launcher on 31 March.