Built by Boeing Satellite Systems of El Segundo, Calif., the 702 model satellites are the most powerful built to date. Each will provide 18 kilowatts of total power at beginning of life. To generate such high power, two solar wings employ five panels each of high-efficiency, dual junction gallium arsenide solar cells. To provide 15 years of service, the Boeing 702 uses a xenon ion propulsion system (XIPS) for on-orbit maneuvering. Boeing Satellite Systems is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites. Alcatel Space of Toulouse, France, provided the high-power, S-band, Digital Audio Radio Service payload.

The launch of XM-1/Roll successful placed a commercial digital radio broadcast satellite into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit with outstanding accuracy. The final orbit of the spacecraft is in Geostationary Orbit at 22,236 miles (35,786 km) above the Earth, at 85 degrees West Longitude. The weight of the spacecraft, fully fueled at the time of launch, was approximately 10,297 lb (4,672 kg). The Zenit-3SL rocket lifted off exactly on schedule at 3:10 pm Pacific Daylight Time from the equatorial launch site at 154 degrees West Longitude.

About two-and-a-half minutes after liftoff, the first stage separated and then the payload fairing jettisonned. About six minutes later, the second stage separated from the Block DM, or upper stage. After the first burn of the Block DM engines, the spacecraft maneuvereed a 35-minute coast period. Following this coast, the Block DM made a second burn and then separated from the spacecraft about eleven minutes later, at 1,592 miles above the Indian Ocean. Five minutes after spacecraft separation, Boeing Satellite Systems acquired the signal from the spacecraft from a ground station in Perth, Australia.