Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Indemnification receivable from SS/L for pre-closing taxes			$ 2,410	$ 2,410
Globalstar do Brasil S.A. [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Loss contingency accrual			300	400
ViaSat Lawsuit, Sep. 2014 [Member] | Sale of SS/L, Nov. 02, 2012 [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Settlement agreement date		September 2014
Settlement agreement, plaintiff's name		ViaSat
Settlement agreement, counterparty's name		SSL
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
Lawsuit settlement installment number, joint and several liability		10
Lawsuit settlement installment frequency, joint & several liability		quarterly
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
Payments for legal settlements	$ 2,800
Lawsuit settlement obligation carrying value			$ 0	$ 2,800