Investments in Affiliates (Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Data) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
XTAR, LLC [Member]
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues	$ 8,406	$ 7,613	$ 24,856	$ 22,285
Operating expenses	(8,188)	(8,239)	(25,050)	(24,842)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(2,310)	(2,345)	(6,930)	(7,095)
Operating income (loss)	(2,092)	(2,971)	(7,124)	(9,652)
Net income (loss)	(2,913)	(3,804)	(9,382)	(12,047)
Current assets	5,317		5,317		7,838
Total assets	65,354		65,354		74,721
Current liabilities	20,797		20,797		18,894
Total liabilities	55,967		55,967		55,953
Shareholder' equity/Members' equity	9,387		9,387		18,768
Telesat Holdings Inc [Member]
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues	226,907	220,361	654,413	616,236
Operating expenses	(45,736)	(50,372)	(140,068)	(186,319)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(62,946)	(65,291)	(183,609)	(186,788)
Gain (loss) on disposition of long lived asset	(15)	(53)	(1,557)	(129)
Operating income (loss)	118,210	104,645	329,179	243,000
Interest expense	(49,831)	(59,020)	(160,603)	(172,302)
Expense of refinancing		(270)	(19,763)	(79,673)
Foreign exchange gains (losses)	58,171	94,424	(110,558)	100,736
Gains (losses) on financial instruments	(25,471)	(40,900)	71,137	(41,555)
Other income (expense)	420	179	11,055	1,144
Income tax expense	(18,485)	(14,333)	(45,478)	(18,652)
Net income (loss)	83,014	84,725	74,969	32,698
Current assets	324,416		324,416		289,614
Total assets	5,060,765		5,060,765		5,342,313
Current liabilities	308,258		308,258		237,739
Long-term debt, including current portion	3,244,624		3,244,624		3,519,872
Total liabilities	4,436,822		4,436,822		4,770,966
Shareholder' equity/Members' equity	$ 623,943		$ 623,943		$ 571,347