Contracts-In-Process And Long-Term Receivables (Aging Of Financing Receivables) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total	$ 101,000	$ 417,496
Unlaunched		181,489
Launched		213,334
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging		236,007
Current		233,624
More Than 90 Days		2,383
Satellite Manufacturing Orbital Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total		354,852
Unlaunched		141,518
Launched		213,334
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging		213,334
Current		210,951
More Than 90 Days		2,383
Telesat Notes Receivable For Consulting Services [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total		20,700
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging		20,700
Current		20,700
Long Term Orbitals [Member] | Satellite Manufacturing Orbital Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total		340,015
Unlaunched		141,518
Launched		198,497
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging		198,497
Current		198,497
Short Term Unbilled [Member] | Satellite Manufacturing Orbital Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total		11,370
Launched		11,370
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging		11,370
Current		11,370
Short Term Billed [Member] | Satellite Manufacturing Orbital Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total		3,467
Launched		3,467
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging		3,467
Current		1,084
More Than 90 Days		2,383
Deferred Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total		1,973
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging		1,973
Current		1,973
Total Satellite Manufacturing And Consulting Services [Member] | Satellite Manufacturing And Consulting Service [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total		377,525
Unlaunched		141,518
Launched		213,334
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging		236,007
Current		233,624
More Than 90 Days		2,383
Land Note [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total	101,000
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging	101,000
Current	101,000
Unbilled Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total		39,971
Unlaunched		$ 39,971