Segment (Summarized Financial Information Of Reportable Segments) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Financial information of reportable segments [Line Items ]
Total revenues	$ 280,305	$ 268,845	$ 861,395	$ 801,166
Revenues included in income from discontinued operations	(280,305)	(268,845)	(861,395)	(801,166)
Revenues reported
Adjusted EBITDA	3,287	23,146	22,521	83,285
Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations	(13,317)	(26,920)	(40,855)	(95,254)
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations	(10,030)	(3,774)	(18,334)	(11,969)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation as reported	(8,938)	(8,775)	(25,924)	(24,891)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation from discontinued operations	8,652	8,473	25,067	24,017
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation as reported	(286)	(302)	(857)	(874)
Gain on disposition of net assets				5,118
Operating loss as reported	(10,316)	(4,076)	(19,191)	(7,725)
Total assets excluding assets held for sale	445,337		445,337		1,836,153
Total assets classified as assets held for sale	959,536		959,536
Total Assets	1,404,873		1,404,873		1,836,153
Satellite Manufacturing External [Member]
Financial information of reportable segments [Line Items ]
Revenues	270,920	236,084	805,287	692,571
Intersegment [Member]
Financial information of reportable segments [Line Items ]
Revenues	9,385	32,761	56,108	109,425
Satellite Manufacturing [Member]
Financial information of reportable segments [Line Items ]
Revenues	280,305	268,845	861,395	801,996
Adjusted EBITDA	13,317	26,920	40,855	95,533
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation as reported	(8,652)	(8,473)	(25,067)	(24,017)
Total Assets					929,408
Satellite Services Revenues [Member]
Financial information of reportable segments [Line Items ]
Revenues	220,361	204,403	616,236	617,264
Adjusted EBITDA	169,989	157,229	473,263	476,274
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation as reported	(65,291)	(63,131)	(186,788)	(188,090)
Total Assets	5,387,975		5,387,975		5,724,418
Operating Segment Before Eliminations [Member]
Financial information of reportable segments [Line Items ]
Revenues	500,666	473,248	1,477,631	1,419,260
Adjusted EBITDA	173,276	180,375	495,784	559,838
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation as reported	(74,229)	(71,906)	(212,712)	(212,981)
Total Assets	5,833,312		5,833,312		7,183,327
Intercompany Eliminations [Member]
Financial information of reportable segments [Line Items ]
Revenues				(830)
Adjusted EBITDA				(279)
Affiliate Eliminations [Member]
Financial information of reportable segments [Line Items ]
Revenues	(220,361)	(204,403)	(616,236)	(617,264)
Adjusted EBITDA	(169,989)	(157,229)	(473,263)	(476,274)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation as reported	65,291	63,131	186,788	188,090
Total Assets	(5,387,975)		(5,387,975)		(5,347,174)
Corporate [Member]
Financial information of reportable segments [Line Items ]
Adjusted EBITDA	(10,030)	(3,774)	(18,334)	(11,969)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation as reported	(286)	(302)	(857)	(874)
Total Assets	$ 445,337		$ 445,337		$ 529,501