Contracts-In-Process And Long-Term Receivables (Aging Of Financing Receivables) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	$ 417,496	$ 383,155
Unlaunched	181,489	183,982
Launched	213,334	178,724
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging	236,007	199,173
Current	233,624	197,406
More Than 90 Days	2,383	1,767
Deferred Receivables [Member]
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	1,973	2,893
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging	1,973	2,893
Current	1,973	2,893
Telesat Receivables [Member]
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	20,700	17,556
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging	20,700	17,556
Current	20,700	17,556
Total Satellite Manufacturing And Consulting Services [Member]
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	377,525	332,861
Unlaunched	141,518	133,688
Launched	213,334	178,724
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging	236,007	199,173
Current	233,624	197,406
More Than 90 Days	2,383	1,767
Unbilled Receivables [Member]
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	39,971	50,294
Unlaunched	39,971	50,294
Satellite Manufacturing Orbitals Receivables [Member] | Long Term Orbitals [Member]
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	340,015	298,977
Unlaunched	141,518	133,688
Launched	198,497	165,289
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging	198,497	165,289
Current	198,497	165,289
Satellite Manufacturing Orbitals Receivables [Member] | Short Term Unbilled [Member]
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	11,370	11,009
Launched	11,370	11,009
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging	11,370	11,009
Current	11,370	11,009
Satellite Manufacturing Orbitals Receivables [Member] | Short Term Billed [Member]
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	3,467	2,426
Launched	3,467	2,426
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging	3,467	2,426
Current	1,084	659
More Than 90 Days	2,383	1,767
Satellite Manufacturing Orbitals Receivables [Member] | Total Orbitals Receivables [Member]
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	354,852	312,412
Unlaunched	141,518	133,688
Launched	213,334	178,724
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging	213,334	178,724
Current	210,951	176,957
More Than 90 Days	$ 2,383	$ 1,767