Investments in Affiliates (Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Data) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
XTAR, LLC [Member]
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues	$ 35,283	$ 32,674	$ 37,055
Operating expenses	(33,763)	(34,627)	(34,734)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(9,247)	(9,298)	(9,617)
Operating income (loss)	(7,727)	(11,251)	(7,296)
Net income (loss)	(10,897)	(14,651)	(11,882)
Current assets	6,970	7,838
Total assets	64,745	74,721
Current liabilities	22,443	18,849
Total liabilities	56,872	55,953
Shareholder' equity/Members' equity	7,873	18,768
Telesat Holdings Inc [Member]
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues	867,914	846,148	817,269
Operating expenses	(185,179)	(242,705)	(188,119)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(245,764)	(249,134)	(248,012)
Gain on issuance of proceeds			136,507
Impairment of intangible assets			(1,112)
Gain (loss) on disposition of long lived asset	(1,677)	(778)	(1,499)
Operating income (loss)	435,294	353,531	515,034
Interest expense	(210,180)	(236,398)	(220,598)
Expense of refinancing	(19,655)	(80,104)
Foreign exchange gains (losses)	(191,569)	81,073	(80,991)
Gains (losses) on financial instruments	110,034	(25,755)	50,731
Other income (expense)	11,343	1,362	1,964
Income tax expense	(39,039)	(28,154)	(65,271)
Net income (loss)	96,228	65,555	200,869
Current assets	366,814	289,614
Total assets	4,929,838	5,342,313
Current liabilities	360,744	237,739
Long-term debt, including current portion	3,215,831	3,519,872
Total liabilities	4,280,902	4,770,966
Shareholder' equity/Members' equity	$ 648,936	$ 571,347