Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)

v2.4.0.6
Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
attorneys
Satellites
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]      
Agreement term to repurchase certain products shipped to distributor from date of shipment 90 days    
Number of owned satellites 9    
Accrual related to contingent performance payments for XM-3 and XM-4 $ 27,832    
Additional payments required if XM-4 continues to operate above baseline specifications 10,000    
Period beyond expected operating performance of design life for XM-4 5 years    
Accrual related to contingent performance for FM-5 8,663    
Accrual related to contingent performance for XM-5 21,450    
Operating lease term, minimum 1 year    
Operating lease term, maximum 15 years    
Total rent recognized from lease $ 37,474 $ 34,143 $ 36,652
Number of state attorneys general 31    
FM-5, XM-5, XM-4 and XM-3 [Member]
      
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]      
Operating performance over design life 15 years    
Boeing Satellite Systems International [Member]
      
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]      
Number of owned satellites 4    
Space Systems/Loral [Member]
      
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]      
Number of owned satellites 5    
In-Orbit Satellite [Member] | Boeing Satellite Systems International [Member]
      
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]      
Number of owned satellites 4    
Number of satellites entitled to future in-orbit performance payments 2