Legal Proceedings (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 A-12 Program [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 A-12 Program [Member]	Dec. 29, 2009 A-12 Program [Member] Requested Unliquidated Progress Payments Plus Interest [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 A-12 Program [Member] Unliquidated Progress Payments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 A-12 Program [Member] Unliquidated Progress Payments Plus Interest [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 A-12 Program [Member] Program Termination [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 A-12 Program [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 BSSI/ICO Litigation [Member]	Mar. 03, 2009 BSSI/ICO Litigation [Member]	Jan. 02, 2009 BSSI/ICO Litigation [Member]	Oct. 31, 2008 BSSI/ICO Litigation [Member]	Oct. 21, 2008 BSSI/ICO Litigation [Member]	Jun. 19, 2008 BSSI/ICO Litigation [Member]	Nov. 09, 2006 BSSI/Telesat Canada [Member]	Nov. 09, 2006 BSSI/Telesat Canada [Member] Initial Damages Sought [Member]	Nov. 09, 2006 BSSI/Telesat Canada [Member] Unpaid Performance Incentive Payments Plus Interest [Member] Counterclaim [Member]	Nov. 09, 2006 BSSI/Telesat Canada [Member] Lost Profits [Member]	Nov. 09, 2006 BSSI/Telesat Canada [Member] Contingent Counterclaim [Member]
Other inventory, net of reserves			$ 236	$ 236
Inventories related to A-12 contract	7,027	5,788	586
Inventories related to A-12 contract, loss provision			350
Loss contingency estimate of possible loss	226		1,724		1,352	1,350	1,555	275							2,000	263	385		10
Unrecorded gain contingency									1,173.0									13.1		180.0
Compensatory damages											371			371
Punitive damages											207		236
Court judgment for damages											604	631
Prejudgment interest										$ 166	$ 26	$ 24
Post-judgment interest rate												10.00%