Investments in Affiliates (Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Data) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Telesat Holdings Inc [Member]
Summary Financial Data:
Revenues	$ 170,501	$ 186,243
Operating expenses	(32,569)	(34,622)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(47,013)	(50,186)
Gain (loss) on disposition of long lived asset	(1,817)	(15)
Operating income (loss)	89,102	101,420
Interest expense	(35,202)	(35,203)
Foreign exchange gains (losses)	135,907	(214,234)
Gains (losses) on financial instruments	(12,617)	4,853
Other income (expense)	854	807
Income tax provision	(11,020)	(19,561)
Net income (loss)	167,024	(161,918)
Current assets	611,865		$ 568,324
Total assets	4,237,073		3,991,301
Current liabilities	414,066		180,462
Long-term debt, including current portion	2,955,865		2,950,726
Total liabilities	3,690,914		3,617,867
Shareholders' equity/Members' equity	546,159		373,434
XTAR, LLC [Member]
Summary Financial Data:
Revenues	5,878	6,028
Operating expenses	(8,255)	(7,935)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation	(2,192)	(2,303)
Operating income (loss)	(4,569)	(4,210)
Net income (loss)	(5,528)	$ (4,603)
Current assets	7,572		7,533
Total assets	42,641		44,793
Current liabilities	45,874		41,712
Total liabilities	71,128		68,126
Shareholders' equity/Members' equity	$ (28,487)		$ (23,333)