Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Financial Information of reportable segments
Total Revenues	$ 294,377	$ 252,422	$ 581,090	$ 532,321
Revenues included in income from discontinued operations	(294,377)	(252,422)	(581,090)	(532,321)
Revenues reported
Adjusted EBITDA	13,279	24,701	19,234	60,139
Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations	(17,244)	(28,097)	(27,537)	(68,334)
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations	(3,965)	(3,396)	(8,303)	(8,195)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation as reported	(8,778)	(8,130)	(16,987)	(16,116)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation from discontinued operations	8,479	7,853	16,415	15,544
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation as reported	(299)	(278)	(572)	(572)
Gain on disposition of net assets		5,118		5,118
Operating income (loss) as reported	(4,264)	1,444	(8,875)	(3,649)
Assets held for sale	1,005,309		1,005,309
Total assets excluding assets held for sale	453,924		453,924		1,836,153
Total Assets	1,459,233		1,459,233		1,836,153
Satellite Manufacturing External [Member]
Financial Information of reportable segments
Revenues	271,871	218,832	534,367	456,487
Intersegment [Member]
Financial Information of reportable segments
Revenues	22,506	33,590	46,723	76,664
Satellite manufacturing [Member]
Financial Information of reportable segments
Revenues	294,377	252,422	581,090	533,151
Adjusted EBITDA	17,244	28,097	27,537	68,613
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation as reported	(8,479)	(7,853)	(16,415)	(15,544)
Total Assets					929,408
Satellite services revenues [Member]
Financial Information of reportable segments
Revenues	199,852	207,139	395,875	412,861
Adjusted EBITDA	153,866	160,098	303,274	319,045
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation as reported	(61,009)	(62,768)	(121,497)	(124,959)
Total Assets	5,253,525		5,253,525		5,724,418
Operating Segment Before Eliminations [Member]
Financial Information of reportable segments
Revenues	494,229	459,561	976,965	946,012
Adjusted EBITDA	167,145	184,799	322,508	379,463
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation as reported	(69,787)	(70,898)	(138,484)	(141,075)
Total Assets	5,707,449		5,707,449		7,183,327
Intercompany eliminations [Member]
Financial Information of reportable segments
Revenues				(830)
Adjusted EBITDA				(279)
Affiliate eliminations [Member]
Financial Information of reportable segments
Revenues	(199,852)	(207,139)	(395,875)	(412,861)
Adjusted EBITDA	(153,866)	(160,098)	(303,274)	(319,045)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation as reported	61,009	62,768	121,497	124,959
Total Assets	(5,253,525)		(5,253,525)		(5,347,174)
Corporate [Member]
Financial Information of reportable segments
Adjusted EBITDA	(3,965)	(3,396)	(8,303)	(8,195)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation as reported	(299)	(277)	(572)	(572)
Total Assets	$ 453,924		$ 453,924		$ 529,501