Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses for severance and related costs	$ 5,800,000
Restructuring costs	200,000
Restructuring liability	5,600,000
Unlaunched	177,021,000	181,489,000
Total orbital receivables related to satellite	465,194,000	417,496,000
Orbital Receivables [Member] | Assets Held-For-Sale [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Orbitals receivable, net of fair value adjustment	364,000,000
Fresh Start fair value adjustment, orbital, net	15,000,000
Gross orbital receivables on launched satellites	279,000,000
Unlaunched	100,000,000
Intelsat [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Total orbital receivables related to satellite	18,000,000
Charge to reduce orbital receivables	6,500,000
Payment made to MDA	$ 6,500,000