Contracts-in-Process and Long-Term Receivables (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Aging of Financing Receivables
Total		$ 430,713	$ 417,496
Unlaunched		192,646	181,489
Launched		211,066	213,334
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging		238,067	236,007
Current		238,067	233,624
90 Days or Less
More Than 90 Days			2,383
Financing receivables classified as assets held for sale		(408,402)
Financing receivables as reported		22,311	362,688
Telesat receivables [Member]
Aging of Financing Receivables
Total		22,311	20,700
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging		22,311	20,700
Current		22,311	20,700
90 Days or Less
More Than 90 Days
Unbilled receivables [Member]
Aging of Financing Receivables
Total		39,043	39,971
Unlaunched		39,043	39,971
90 Days or Less
More Than 90 Days
Unlaunched Receivables [Member]
Aging of Financing Receivables
Financing receivables classified as assets held for sale		(192,646)
Launched Receivables [Member]
Aging of Financing Receivables
Financing receivables classified as assets held for sale		(211,066)
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging [Member]
Aging of Financing Receivables
Financing receivables classified as assets held for sale		(215,756)
Current Receivables [Member]
Aging of Financing Receivables
Financing receivables classified as assets held for sale		(215,756)
Satellite Manufacturing Orbital Receivables [Member] | Long term orbitals [Member]
Aging of Financing Receivables
Total		347,545	340,015
Unlaunched		153,603	141,518
Launched		193,942	198,497
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging		193,942	198,497
Current		193,942	198,497
90 Days or Less
More Than 90 Days
Satellite Manufacturing Orbital Receivables [Member] | Short term unbilled [Member]
Aging of Financing Receivables
Total		12,477	11,370
Launched		12,477	11,370
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging		12,477	11,370
Current		12,477	11,370
90 Days or Less
More Than 90 Days
Satellite Manufacturing Orbital Receivables [Member] | Short term billed [Member]
Aging of Financing Receivables
Total		4,647	3,467
Launched		4,647	3,467
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging		4,647	3,467
Current		4,647	1,084
90 Days or Less
More Than 90 Days			2,383
Satellite Manufacturing Orbital Receivables [Member] | Total Orbitals Receivables [Member]
Aging of Financing Receivables
Total		364,669	354,852
Unlaunched		153,603	141,518
Launched		211,066	213,334
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging		211,066	213,334
Current		211,066	210,951
90 Days or Less
More Than 90 Days			2,383
Deferred Receivables [Member]
Aging of Financing Receivables
Total		4,690	1,973
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging		4,690	1,973
Current		4,690	1,973
90 Days or Less
Satellite Manufacturing and Consulting Service [Member]
Aging of Financing Receivables
Total		391,670	377,525
Unlaunched		153,603	141,518
Launched		211,066	213,334
Financing Receivables Subject To Aging		238,067	236,007
Current		238,067	233,624
90 Days or Less
More Than 90 Days			$ 2,383