Investments In Affiliates (Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Data) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
XTAR, LLC [Member]
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues	$ 8,125	$ 7,851
Operating expenses	(8,369)	(8,324)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(2,310)	(2,405)
Operating income (loss)	(2,554)	(2,878)
Net income (loss)	(3,259)	(3,671)
Current assets	9,341		7,838
Total assets	73,998		74,721
Current liabilities	48,738		46,296
Total liabilities	58,489		55,953
Shareholder' equity/Members' equity	15,509		18,768
Telesat Holdings Inc [Member]
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues	217,468	196,023
Operating expenses	(50,158)	(83,740)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(57,818)	(60,488)
(Loss) gain on disposition of long lived asset	468	(58)
Operating income (loss)	109,960	51,737
Interest expense	(59,695)	(51,690)
Expense of refinancing	(19,964)	(21,862)
Foreign exchange (losses) gains	(70,340)	62,490
Gains (losses) on financial instruments	36,853	(26,425)
Other income	383	724
Income tax expense	(7,842)	2,429
Net income (loss)	(10,645)	17,403
Current assets	356,099		289,614
Total assets	5,257,304		5,342,313
Current liabilities	494,297		237,739
Long-term debt, including current portion	3,492,368		3,519,872
Total liabilities	4,709,501		4,770,966
Shareholder' equity/Members' equity	$ 547,803		$ 571,347