Discontinued Operations (Summary Of SS/L's Operating Results Included In Income From Discontinued Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Revenues													$ 940,347	$ 1,107,365	$ 1,158,985
Operating income													3,441	106,661	106,935
Income before income taxes													22,167	122,336	116,275
Income tax provision													(10,157)	(47,770)	(16,523)
Net income													12,010	74,566	99,752
Gain on Sale													576,090
Income tax provision on sale													(267,451)
Gain on sale, net of tax													308,639
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 302,933	$ 4,271	$ 4,937	$ 8,508	$ 14,919	[1]	$ 20,257	[1]	$ 14,785	[1]	$ 24,605	[1]	$ 320,649	$ 74,566	$ 99,752

[1] As a result of the Sale of SS/L on November 2, 2012, our 2011 selected quarterly financial information has been restated to reflect SS/L as a discontinued operation.