Legal Proceedings (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 A-12 Program [Member]	Nov. 09, 2006 BSSI/Telesat Canada [Member] Counterclaim Of Unpaid Performance Incentive Payments Plus Late Charges [Member]	Nov. 09, 2006 BSSI/Telesat Canada [Member] Counterclaim Of Insurance Theory [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 A-12 Program [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 A-12 Program [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 A-12 Program [Member] Unliquidated Progress Payments [Member]	Dec. 29, 2009 A-12 Program [Member] Unliquidated Progress Payments [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 A-12 Program [Member] Program Termination [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 A-12 Program [Member] Interest On Unliquidated Progress Payments [Member]	Nov. 09, 2006 BSSI/Telesat Canada [Member] Initial Damages Sought [Member]	Nov. 09, 2006 BSSI/Telesat Canada [Member] Initial Lost Profits Sought [Member]	Apr. 11, 2012 BSSI/Telesat Canada [Member] Revised Damages Sought [Member]	Nov. 09, 2006 BSSI/Telesat Canada [Member] Revised Damages Sought [Member]
Legal Proceedings [Line Items]
Inventory related to A-12 contract, gross						$ 587
Inventory related to A-12 contract, loss provision						350
Loss contingency, estimate of possible loss						1,735		1,350	1,352	275	1,575	385	10	71	263
Inventory related to A-12 contract, net of reserves	14,553	13,587				237	236
Unrecorded gain contingency			$ 1,182	$ 13	$ 180