Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Components of Other Comprehensive Income and Related Tax Effects) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service credits, Before-Tax Amount	$ 5,012	$ 2,962	$ (85,596)
Reclassification of prior service credits and net actuarial (gain) loss, Before-Tax Amount	8,687	5,120	876
Amounts reclassified to statements of operations upon disposition of SS/L, Before-Tax Amount		123,377
Post retirement benefits, Before-Tax Amount	13,699	131,459	(84,720)
Proportionate share of Telesat Holdco other comprehensive income (loss), Before-Tax Amount	12,906	2,141	(21,517)
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency hedges, Before-Tax Amount		(693)	(8,821)
Less: reclassification adjustment for (income) loss included in net income (loss) from discontinued operations, Before-Tax Amount		6,502	17,935
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
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, Before-Tax Amount		(78)
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gain) loss included in net income (loss), Before-Tax Amount		(276)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities, Before-Tax Amount		(354)	(895)
Other comprehensive income (loss), Before-Tax Amount	26,605	139,693	(98,018)
Net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service credits, Tax (Expense) Benefit	(1,910)	(1,294)	34,424
Reclassification of prior service credits and net actuarial (gain) loss, Tax (Expense) Benefit	(3,307)	(2,067)	(352)
Amounts reclassified to statements of operations upon disposition of SS/L, Tax (Expense) Benefit		(13,056)
Post retirement benefits, Tax (Expense) Benefit	(5,217)	(16,417)	34,072
Proportionate share of Telesat Holdco other comprehensive income (loss), Tax (Expense) Benefit	(4,910)	(828)	8,651
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency hedges, Tax (Expense) Benefit		278	3,549
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gain) loss included in net income from discontinued operations, Tax (Expense) Benefit		(2,611)	(7,216)
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)
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities , Tax (Expense) Benefit		(42)
Less: reclassification adjustment for gain included in net income, Tax (Expense) Benefit		(184)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities, Tax (Expense) Benefit		(226)	360
Other comprehensive income, Tax (Expense) Benefit	(10,127)	(22,612)	39,416
Net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service credits, Net-of Tax Amount	3,102	1,668	(51,172)
Amortization of prior service credits and net actuarial gain (loss), Net-of Tax Amount	5,380	3,053	524
Amounts reclassified to statements of operations upon disposition of SS/L, Net-of Tax Amount		110,321
Postretirement benefits, Net- of Tax	8,482	115,042	(50,648)
Proportionate share of Telesat Holdco other comprehensive income (loss)	7,996	1,313	(12,866)
Unrealized gaiin (loss) on foreign currency hedges, Net-of Tax Amount		(415)	(5,272)
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gain) loss included in net income (loss) from discontinued operations, Net-of Tax Amount		3,891	10,719
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
Unrealized gain (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)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total		(580)	(535)
Other comprehensive income (loss), Net-of Tax Amount	$ 16,478	$ 117,081	$ (58,602)