Investments in Affiliates (Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Data) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Telesat Holdings Inc [Member]
Summary Financial Data:
Revenues	$ 210,163	$ 226,907	$ 636,552	$ 654,413
Operating expenses	(42,827)	(45,736)	(122,402)	(140,068)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(58,955)	(62,946)	(175,713)	(183,609)
Gain (loss) on disposition of long lived asset	(164)	(15)	(226)	(1,557)
Operating income (loss)	108,217	118,210	338,211	329,179
Interest expense	(47,573)	(49,831)	(142,589)	(160,603)
Expense of refinancing				(19,763)
Foreign exchange gains (losses)	(96,093)	58,171	(105,177)	(110,558)
Gains (losses) on financial instruments	15,146	(25,471)	31,517	71,137
Other income (expense)	841	420	3,007	11,055
Income tax provision	(7,484)	(18,485)	(46,640)	(45,478)
Net income (loss)	(26,946)	83,014	78,329	74,969
Current assets	525,438		525,438		366,814
Total assets	4,752,333		4,752,333		4,929,838
Current liabilities	283,333		283,333		360,744
Long-term debt, including current portion	3,137,225		3,137,225		3,215,831
Total liabilities	4,049,040		4,049,040		4,280,902
Shareholders' equity/Members' equity	703,293		703,293		648,936
XTAR, LLC [Member]
Summary Financial Data:
Revenues	6,642	8,406	22,363	24,856
Operating expenses	(7,717)	(8,188)	(23,530)	(25,050)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(2,314)	(2,310)	(6,943)	(6,930)
Operating income (loss)	(3,389)	(2,092)	(8,110)	(7,124)
Net income (loss)	(3,758)	(2,913)	(9,822)	(9,382)
Current assets	3,858		3,858		6,970
Total assets	54,688		54,688		64,745
Current liabilities	24,924		24,924		22,443
Total liabilities	56,637		56,637		56,872
Shareholders' equity/Members' equity	$ (1,949)		$ (1,949)		$ 7,873