Basis of Presentation (Policy)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Ownership interests in Telesat and XTAR, LLC (“XTAR”) are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Income and losses of affiliates are recorded based on our beneficial interest. Our equity in net income or loss also reflects amortization of profits eliminated, to the extent of our economic interest in Telesat and XTAR, on satellites we constructed for them while we owned SS/L and on Loral’s sale to Telesat in April 2011 of its portion of the payload on the ViaSat-1 satellite and related assets. Equity in losses of affiliates is not recognized after the carrying value of an investment, including advances and loans, has been reduced to zero, unless guarantees or other funding obligations exist. The Company monitors its equity method investments for factors indicating other-than-temporary impairment. An impairment loss would be recognized when there has been a loss in value of the affiliate that is other-than-temporary.

Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the amount of income (loss) reported for the period. Actual results could differ from estimates.

Significant estimates also included the allowances for doubtful accounts, the realization of deferred tax assets, uncertain tax positions, the fair value of liabilities indemnified and our pension liabilities.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and receivables. Our cash and cash equivalents are maintained with high-credit-quality financial institutions. The Land Note is guaranteed by Royal Bank of Canada. As a result, management believes that its potential credit risks are minimal.

Fair Value Measurements

U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants. U.S. GAAP also establishes a fair value hierarchy that gives the highest priority to observable inputs and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1: Inputs represent a fair value that is derived from unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets at the measurement date.

Level 2: Inputs represent a fair value that is derived from quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities, and pricing inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date.

Level 3: Inputs are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The fair values are therefore determined using model-based techniques that include option pricing models, discounted cash flow models, and similar techniques.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

The following table presents our assets and liabilities measured at fair value at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):



	September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	39,428	$	—	$	—	$	3,216	$	—	$	—
Note receivable:
Land Note	$	—	$	—	$	33,667	$	—	$	—	$	101,000
Liabilities
Indemnifications:
Sale of SS/L	$	—	$	—	$	(428)	$	—	$	—	$	10,897
Globalstar do Brasil S.A.	$	—	$	—	$	1,217	$	—	$	—	$	1,320

The carrying amount of cash equivalents approximates fair value as of each reporting date because of the short maturity of those instruments. The carrying amount of the Land Note approximates fair value as of each reporting date because the stated interest rate is consistent with current market rates.

The fair value of indemnifications related to the sale of SS/L was originally estimated using Monte Carlo simulation based on the potential probability weighted cash flows that would be a guarantor’s responsibility in an arm’s length transaction. As of September 30, 2014, the indemnification liability related to the ViaSat Suit has been excluded from the fair value table because, as a result of the Settlement Agreement (see Note 14), our estimated liability using the probability threshold approach exceeds our liability originally measured at fair value and adjusted for subsequent payments. We continue to use the fair value objective approach originally adopted to estimate our liability for the indemnification of SS/L for pre-closing taxes. The fair value of indemnifications relating to Globalstar do Brasil S.A. (“GdB”) was originally estimated using expected value analysis. The fair value of indemnification liabilities and assets are not remeasured on a recurring basis. The Company does not have any non-financial assets or non-financial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value as of September 30, 2014.

We review the carrying values of our equity method investments when events and circumstances warrant and consider all available evidence in evaluating when declines in fair value are other than temporary. The fair values of our investments are determined based on valuation techniques using the best information available and may include quoted market prices, market comparables and discounted cash flow projections. An impairment charge is recorded when the carrying amount of the investment exceeds its current fair value and is determined to be other than temporary.

Discontinued Operations

Adjustments to amounts previously reported in discontinued operations that are directly related to the Sale are classified as discontinued operations in the statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for credit risk.

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- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for any discontinued operations. The results of operations of a component of an entity that either has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale is reported in discontinued operations if both: (a) the operations and cash flows of the component have been (or will be) eliminated from the ongoing operations of the entity as a result of the disposal transaction and (b) the entity will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component after the disposal transaction. If the entity elects to allocate interest expense to a discontinued operation, it may disclose its accounting policy for this election and describe its method of allocation.

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- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for the equity method of accounting for investments in common stock or other interests including unconsolidated subsidiaries, corporate joint ventures, noncontrolling interests in real estate ventures, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies. The accounting policy may include information such as: (1) initially recording an investment in the stock of an investee at cost; (2) adjusting the carrying amount of the investment to recognize the investor's share of the earnings or losses of the investee after the date of acquisition; and (3) adjustments to reflect the investor's share of changes in the investee's capital (dividends). This disclosure may also include a detailed description of the policy for determining the amount of equity method losses recognized after an investment has been reduced to zero as a result of previous losses, reasons for not using the equity method when the investor company owns 20 percent or more of the voting stock of the investee's company (including identification of the significant investee), reasons for using the equity method when the ownership percentage is less than 20 percent, and discussion of recognition of equity method losses when an investor's total investment in an investee includes, in addition to an investment in common stock, other investments such as preferred stock and loans to the investee. An entity also may describe how such investments are assessed for impairment.

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