Segments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 segment customer	Dec. 31, 2011 customer	Dec. 31, 2010 customer
Financial information of reportable segments [Line Items ]
Number of operating segments	2
Revenue from related parties	$ 57,571,000	$ 139,960,000	$ 137,244,000
Number of customers accounted for consolidated revenues	3	3	5
Telesat [Member]
Financial information of reportable segments [Line Items ]
Unconsolidated segment revenue eliminated	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Percentage of ownership interest	62.80%
Equity Method Investee Goodwill	$ 2,500,000,000	$ 2,400,000,000
Customer One [Member]
Financial information of reportable segments [Line Items ]
Percentage of revenue genrated from a single customer	17.00%	13.00%	19.00%
Customer Two [Member]
Financial information of reportable segments [Line Items ]
Percentage of revenue genrated from a single customer	12.00%	12.00%	13.00%
Customer Three [Member]
Financial information of reportable segments [Line Items ]
Percentage of revenue genrated from a single customer	11.00%	10.00%	12.00%
Customer Four [Member]
Financial information of reportable segments [Line Items ]
Percentage of revenue genrated from a single customer			12.00%
Customer Five [Member]
Financial information of reportable segments [Line Items ]
Percentage of revenue genrated from a single customer			11.00%