Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Liability accrual for a claim pursuant to indemnification provisions included in the Company's contracts in the ordinary course of business.

No definition available.

Name:	vsat_AmountPayableUnderIndemnificationAgreementRecordedAsAccruedLiability
Namespace Prefix:	vsat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The percentage of equity interest in a third party by an executive officer of the company.

No definition available.

Name:	vsat_ExecutiveOfficerPercentEquityInterestInThirdParty
Namespace Prefix:	vsat_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The payment made in the period which reduced indemnification payable.

No definition available.

Name:	vsat_PaymentUnderIndemnificationAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	vsat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Period over which in-orbit satellite performance incentive payments, including interest, are to be paid.

No definition available.

Name:	vsat_PeriodOfInOrbitPerformanceIncentivePaymentsIncludingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	vsat_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The payment received in the period which reduced indemnification receivable.

No definition available.

Name:	vsat_ProceedsUnderIndemnificationAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	vsat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of transactions with related party during the financial reporting period defined in percent.

No definition available.

Name:	vsat_RelatedPartyTransactionPercentAmountsOfTransaction
Namespace Prefix:	vsat_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Certain Relationships and Related-Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2011	Apr. 01, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Period of in orbit performance incentive payments including interest		15 years
Payment under indemnification agreement	$ 20.5
Proceeds under indemnification agreement	20.0
Executive officer percent equity interest in third party		33.30%
Amount recorded as a liability under the indemnification agreement			20.5	0.5
Loral - beam sharing agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of total costs under the beam sharing agreement for which Loral is responsible		15.00%
Times Arrow [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payment under indemnification agreement	3.0
Executive Vice President [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payment under indemnification agreement	$ 1.0