PanAmSat's Galaxy IIIR satellite experienced a failure of its primary spacecraft control processor (SCP), which caused the satellite to automatically switch control to its back-up SCP on 21 April 2001, 0640 UTC.
The failure caused a temporary outage of some C-band and Ku-band transponders. Normal operations were restored to the satellite within two hours, during which time some customers experienced brief interruptions of service.
Galaxy IIIR experienced an anomaly on its secondary SCP at 0342 UTC on 15 January 2006. The satellite has no book value to the company but was expected to remain in inclined orbit through early 2009.
PanAmSat and the satellite manufacturer, Boeing Satellite Systems Inc., are continuing to investigate the apparent failure, the company said in a statement.