Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Components Of Other Comprehensive Income And Related Tax Effects) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
Net actuarial losses and prior service credits, Before-Tax Amount	$ 2,962	$ (85,596)	$ (27,891)
Amortization of prior service credits and net actuarial loss, Before-Tax Amount	5,120	876	(1,029)
Amounts reclassified to statements of operations upon disposition of SS/L, Before-Tax Amount	123,377
Post Retirement Benefits, Before-Tax Amount	131,459	(84,720)	(28,920)
Proportionate share of Telesat Holdco other comprehensive (loss)income, Before-Tax Amount	2,141	(21,517)	(5,101)
Unrealized loss on foreign currency hedges, Before-Tax Amount	(693)	(8,821)	(15,790)
Less: reclassification adjustment for loss included in net income, Before-Tax Amount	6,502	17,935	(6,054)
Amounts reclassified to statements of operations upon disposition of SS/L, Before-Tax Amount	638
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives, Before-Tax Amount	6,447	9,114	(21,844)
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, Before-Tax Amount	(78)	(895)	570
Less: reclassification adjustment for gain included in net income, Before-Tax Amount	(276)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities, Before-Tax Amount	(354)
Other comprehensive income, Before-Tax Amount	139,693	(98,018)	(55,295)
Net actuarial losses and prior service credits, Tax (Expense) Benefit	(1,294)	34,424	11,254
Amortization of prior service credits and net actuarial loss, Tax (Expense) Benefit	(2,067)	(352)	415
Amounts reclassified to statements of operations upon disposition of SS/L, Tax (Expense) Benefit	(13,056)
Post Retirement Benefits, Tax (Expense) Benefit	(16,417)	34,072	11,669
Proportionate share of Telesat Holdco other comprehensive (loss) income, Tax (Expense) Benefit	(828)	8,651	2,052
Unrealized loss on foreign currency hedges, Tax (Expense) Benefit	278	3,549	6,368
Less: reclassification adjustment for loss included in net income, Tax (Expense) Benefit	(2,611)	(7,216)	2,441
Amounts reclassified to statements of operations upon disposition of SS/L, Tax (Expense) Benefit	(2,808)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives , Tax (Expense) Benefit	(5,141)	(3,667)	8,809
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, Tax (Expense) Benefit	(42)	360	(230)
Less: reclassification adjustment for gain included in net income, Tax (Expense) Benefit	(184)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities, Tax (Expense) Benefit	(226)
Other comprehensive income (loss), Tax (Expense) Benefit	(22,612)	39,416	22,300
Net actuarial losses and prior service credits, Net-of Tax Amount	1,668	(51,172)	(16,637)
Amortization of prior service credits and net actuarial loss, Net-of Tax Amount	3,053	524	(614)
Amounts reclassified to statements of operations upon disposition of SS/L, Net-of Tax Amount	110,321
Post Retirement Benefits, Net-of Tax Amount	115,042	(50,648)	(17,251)
Proportionate share of Telesat Holdco other comprehensive income (loss)	1,313	(12,866)	(3,049)
Unrealized loss on foreign currency hedges, Net-of Tax Amount	(415)	(5,272)	(9,422)
Less: reclassification adjustment for loss included in net income, Net-of Tax Amount	3,891	10,719	(3,613)
Amounts reclassified to statements of operations upon disposition of SS/L, Net-of Tax Amount	(2,170)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives, Net-of Tax Amount	1,306	5,447	(13,035)
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, Net-of Tax Amount	(120)
Less: reclassification adjustment for gain included in net income, Net-of Tax Amount	(460)
Net unrealized gain(loss) on securities, Net-of Tax Amount	(580)	(535)	340
Other comprehensive income, Net-of Tax Amount	$ 117,081	$ (58,602)	$ (32,995)