Optus (and Defence) C1 was partially funded by the Australian Government (Defence Department) - Optus C1's use is shared between Defence and Telecommunications, in particular the supply of Television services to Australia. Mitsubishi Electric was the prime contractor responsible for manufacturing all the Optus C1 communications systems.

BSAT-2c was a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation on the STAR-1 platform. It was stationed along its companion BSAT-2a from where they provided redundant high-definition direct television broadcasting across Japan.

The original companion for BSAT-2a was BSAT-2b, but a launch failure during its launch during July 2001, meant that it was not possible to commission it into service. Thus, in October of the same year, BSAT-2c was ordered and launched in June 2003. It was retired in August 2013.