Investments in Affiliates (Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Data) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Telesat Holdings Inc [Member]
Summary Financial Data:
Revenues	$ 183,133	$ 205,790	$ 369,376	$ 426,389
Operating expenses	(34,264)	(39,245)	(68,886)	(79,575)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(48,642)	(58,277)	(98,828)	(116,758)
Gain (loss) on disposition of long lived asset	(6)	(3)	(21)	(62)
Operating income (loss)	100,221	108,265	201,641	229,994
Interest expense	(35,068)	(47,501)	(70,271)	(95,016)
Foreign exchange gains (losses)	45,393	92,665	(168,841)	(9,084)
Gains (losses) on financial instruments	(3,657)	(30,979)	1,196	16,371
Other income (expense)	568	1,427	1,375	2,166
Income tax provision	(18,518)	(18,007)	(38,079)	(39,156)
Net income (loss)	88,939	105,870	(72,979)	105,275
Current assets	531,034		531,034		$ 497,287
Total assets	4,265,251		4,265,251		4,552,613
Current liabilities	170,593		170,593		227,200
Long-term debt, including current portion	3,038,656		3,038,656		3,102,635
Total liabilities	3,745,551		3,745,551		3,921,887
Shareholders' equity/Members' equity	519,700		519,700		630,726
XTAR, LLC [Member]
Summary Financial Data:
Revenues	6,669	7,675	12,697	15,721
Operating expenses	(8,171)	(8,006)	(16,106)	(15,813)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(2,189)	(2,314)	(4,492)	(4,629)
Operating income (loss)	(3,691)	(2,645)	(7,901)	(4,721)
Net income (loss)	(4,664)	$ (3,302)	(9,267)	$ (6,064)
Current assets	9,054		9,054		4,992
Total assets	50,670		50,670		53,508
Current liabilities	36,718		36,718		28,585
Total liabilities	65,348		65,348		59,342
Shareholders' equity/Members' equity	$ (14,678)		$ (14,678)		$ (5,834)