Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of ''SS/L Phantom SARs'' Included As A Liability In Consolidated Balance Sheet) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Grant Date June 2009 [Member]
Employee Incentive Compensation Program [Line Items]
SARs granted	225,000
% of Grant Vesting on March 18th 2010	50.00%
% of Grant Vesting on March 18th 2011	25.00%
% of Grant Vesting on March 18th 2012	25.00%
Grant Date Oct 2009 (Award One) [Member]
Employee Incentive Compensation Program [Line Items]
SARs granted	217,500
% of Grant Vesting on March 18th 2010	50.00%
% of Grant Vesting on March 18th 2011	25.00%
% of Grant Vesting on March 18th 2012	25.00%
Grant Date Oct 2009 (Award Two) [Member]
Employee Incentive Compensation Program [Line Items]
SARs granted	65,000
% of Grant Vesting on March 18th 2010	25.00%
% of Grant Vesting on March 18th 2011	25.00%
% of Grant Vesting on March 18th 2012	25.00%
% of Grant Vesting on March 18th 2013	25.00%
Grant Date Dec 2009 [Member]
Employee Incentive Compensation Program [Line Items]
SARs granted	32,500
% of Grant Vesting on March 18th 2010	50.00%
% of Grant Vesting on March 18th 2011	25.00%
% of Grant Vesting on March 18th 2012	25.00%
Grant Date May 2010 [Member]
Employee Incentive Compensation Program [Line Items]
SARs granted	175,000
% of Grant Vesting on March 18th 2011	25.00%
% of Grant Vesting on March 18th 2012	25.00%
% of Grant Vesting on March 18th 2013	25.00%
% of Grant Vesting on March 18th 2014	25.00%