Satellite operator Intelsat ordered the new Intelsat 33e (IS-33e) satellite in August 2013 with manufacturer Boeing Defense & Space. The satellite was designed for a lifespan of 15+ years and is based on the BSS-702MP platform.

The satellite carries C- and Ku-band High-Trough Put transponders for Intelsat’s Epic system. The payload is powered by two solar wings, each with four panels of ultra-triple-junction gallium arsenide solar cells. Intelsat-33e is positioned at 60° East to replace Intelsat 904.

Intelsat-33e satellite was successfully launched on in August 2016 together with Intelsat-36. The raise to geostationary orbit was delayed, as the satellite suffered a malfunction of the primary thruster, which delays the entry into service until first quarter of 2017. The effect of the thruster malfunction on Intelsat-33e’s lifespan was minimal. In August 2017, another propulsion issue appeared, leading to larger-than-expected propellant usage to control the satellite attitude during the North/South station keeping maneuvers. This issue reduced the orbital life-time by about 3.5 years.

Intelsat-33e was launched on August 24^th, 2016 in a dual launch with Intelsat-36 satellite on an Ariane 5ECA rocket booster operated by launch operator Arianespace from the Kourou Space Port launch site in French Guyana.

In October 2024 Intelsat declared the satellite a total loss after a recent anomaly affecting customers is Europe, Africa and parts of Asia-Pacific. Intelsat first reported a service outage on the satellite on October 2019. Data and observations were analyzed with manufacturer Boeing, to find the cause of the failure. Intelsat-33e is part of the Intelsat Epic high throughput satellite (HTS) series, which consists of IS-29e, IS-33e, and IS-32e all based on the Boeing 702MP-platform. The IS-33e anomaly is the second in-orbit failure for the Epic fleet, IS-29 failed in 2019. after the propulsion system sprung a leak and the satellite could not be recovered.