Investments in Affiliates (Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Data) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Telesat Holdings Inc [Member]
Summary Financial Data:
Revenues	$ 837,440	$ 867,914	$ 846,148
Operating expenses	(161,944)	(185,179)	(242,705)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(231,849)	(245,764)	(249,134)
Gain (loss) on disposition of long lived asset	(276)	(1,677)	(778)
Operating income (loss)	443,371	435,294	353,531
Interest expense	(182,395)	(210,180)	(236,398)
Expense of refinancing		(19,655)	(80,104)
Foreign exchange gains (losses)	(232,275)	(191,569)	81,073
Gains (losses) on financial instruments	70,872	110,034	(25,755)
Other income (expense)	2,779	11,343	1,362
Income tax provision	(60,954)	(39,039)	(28,154)
Net income (loss)	41,398	96,228	65,555
Current assets	497,287	366,814
Total assets	4,552,613	4,929,838
Current liabilities	227,200	360,744
Long-term debt, including current portion	3,102,635	3,215,831
Total liabilities	3,921,887	4,280,902
Shareholders' equity/Members' equity	630,726	648,936
XTAR, LLC [Member]
Summary Financial Data:
Revenues	29,171	35,283	32,674
Operating expenses	(31,367)	(33,763)	(34,627)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(9,257)	(9,247)	(9,298)
Operating income (loss)	(11,453)	(7,727)	(11,251)
Net income (loss)	(13,835)	(10,895)	(14,651)
Current assets	4,992	6,970
Total assets	53,508	64,745
Current liabilities	28,585	22,443
Total liabilities	59,342	56,872
Shareholders' equity/Members' equity	$ (5,834)	$ 7,873