Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Indemnification receivable from SS/L for pre-closing taxes			$ 1,953	$ 1,953
Globalstar do Brasil S.A. [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Indemnification liabilities			1,000	1,000
ViaSat Lawsuit [Member] | Sale of SS/L [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Lawsuit settlement amount, joint & several liability		$ 100,000
Lawsuit settlement initial payment, joint & several liability		40,000
Lawsuit settlement future payments, joint & several liability		60,000	13,500	32,400
Lawsuit settlement amount of each installment, joint & several liability		$ 6,900
Lawsuit settlement installment start date, joint & several liability		Oct. 15, 2014
Lawsuit settlement installment end date, joint & several liability		Jan. 15, 2017
Obligation with joint and several liability arrangement, amount recognized					$ 45,000
Obligation with joint and several liability amount payable by counterparty					$ 55,000
Cumulative Payments For Legal Settlements			40,500
Payments for legal settlements	$ 2,800
Lawsuit settlement installments remaining	1
Lawsuit settlement, total amount outstanding installments	$ 2,800
Lawsuit settlement installment discount rate	3.25%
Lawsuit settlement obligation carrying value			$ 5,500	$ 13,500
September 2014 [Member] | ViaSat Lawsuit [Member] | Sale of SS/L [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Settlement agreement date			September 2014
Settlement agreement, plaintiff's name			ViaSat
Settlement agreement, counterparty's name			SS/L
Lawsuit Settlement Installment Number, Joint and Several Liability			10
Lawsuit settlement installment frequency, joint & several liability			quarterly