In August 1997 satellite operator PanAmSat ordered the Galaxy -3C satellite with Hughes Satellite Systems (Boeing Defense & Space). The satellite was operated by PanAmSat till 2006 when it was acquired by satellite operator Intelsat.

The satellite provided service for North, South and Central America. Galaxy-3C operates with a total of 77 transponders; 24 uses C-band and 53 using Ku-band. The spacecraft was designed for an end-of-life power of 15kW.

Galaxy-3C was successfully launched on June 15^th, 2002 on a Zenit-3SL launcher from the floating Odyssey launch platform operated by launch operator Sea Launch.

Galaxy-3C spent most of its operational life at an orbital location of 95° W. Some of the satellite’s users include DirecTV’s Brazil and Latin America systems, the Racetrack TV Network DBS service, and HughesNet. DirecTV is slowly discontinuing use of this satellite, with international channels moving to its T12 and T14 satellites.