Contracts-In-Process And Long-Term Receivables (Aging Of Financing Receivables) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	$ 441,353	$ 417,496
Unlaunched	199,146	181,489
Launched	212,838	213,334
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging	242,207	236,007
Current	242,207	233,624
More Than 90 Days		2,383
Telesat Receivables [Member]
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	20,700	20,700
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging	20,700	20,700
Current	20,700	20,700
Unbilled Receivables [Member]
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	58,471	39,971
Unlaunched	58,471	39,971
Satellite Manufacturing Orbital Receivables [Member] | Long Term Orbitals [Member]
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	337,590	340,015
Unlaunched	140,675	141,518
Launched	196,915	198,497
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging	196,915	198,497
Current	196,915	198,497
Satellite Manufacturing Orbital Receivables [Member] | Short Term Unbilled [Member]
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	12,619	11,370
Launched	12,619	11,370
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging	12,619	11,370
Current	12,619	11,370
Satellite Manufacturing Orbital Receivables [Member] | Short Term Billed [Member]
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	3,304	3,467
Launched	3,304	3,467
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging	3,304	3,467
Current	3,304	1,084
More Than 90 Days		2,383
Satellite Manufacturing Orbital Receivables [Member] | Total Orbitals Receivables [Member]
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	353,513	354,852
Unlaunched	140,675	141,518
Launched	212,838	213,334
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging	212,838	213,334
Current	212,838	210,951
More Than 90 Days		2,383
Deferred Receivables [Member]
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	8,669	1,973
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging	8,669	1,973
Current	8,669	1,973
Total Satellite Manufacturing And Consulting Service [Member]
Schedule Of Aging Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Total	382,882	377,525
Unlaunched	140,675	141,518
Launched	212,838	213,334
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging	242,207	236,007
Current	242,207	233,624
More Than 90 Days		$ 2,383