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Property and Equipment (Details Textual) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified |
12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Dec. 31, 2011
Satellites
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Dec. 31, 2009
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| Property and equipment (Textual) [Abstract] | |||
| Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment | $ 208,830 | $ 207,367 | $ 232,863 |
| Cost of retired property and equipment | 12,158 | 155,000 | |
| Number of owned satellites | 9 | ||
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Satellite [Member]
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| Property and equipment (Textual) [Abstract] | |||
| Other than temporary impairment charge included restructuring, impairments, and related costs | 56,100 | ||
| Capitalized expenditures, including interest | $ 81,189 | $ 223,928 | |
| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Number of owned satellites. No definition available.
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- Definition
Other than temporary impairment charge included restructuring, impairments, and related costs. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The amount of expense recognized in the current period that reflects the allocation of the cost of tangible assets over the assets' useful lives. Includes production and non-production related depreciation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Current year acquisitions of long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Current year divestiture of long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. No definition available.
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