Investments in Affiliates (Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Data) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
XTAR, LLC [Member]
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues	$ 8,046	$ 8,125
Operating expenses	(7,807)	(8,369)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(2,315)	(2,310)
Operating income (loss)	(2,076)	(2,554)
Net income (loss)	(2,762)	(3,259)
Current assets	5,929		6,970
Total assets	61,388		64,745
Current liabilities	22,737		22,443
Total liabilities	56,277		56,872
Shareholder' equity/Members' equity	5,111		7,873
Telesat Holdings Inc [Member]
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues	220,599	217,468
Operating expenses	(40,330)	(50,158)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(58,481)	(57,818)
Gain (loss) on disposition of long lived asset	(59)	468
Operating income (loss)	121,729	109,960
Interest expense	(47,515)	(59,695)
Expense of refinancing		(19,964)
Foreign exchange gains (losses)	(101,749)	(70,340)
Gains (losses) on financial instruments	47,350	36,853
Other income (expense)	739	383
Income tax expense	(21,149)	(7,842)
Net income (loss)	(595)	(10,645)
Current assets	416,245		366,814
Total assets	4,756,122		4,929,838
Current liabilities	288,867		360,744
Long-term debt, including current portion	3,176,815		3,215,831
Total liabilities	4,129,276		4,280,902
Shareholder' equity/Members' equity	$ 626,846		$ 648,936