Accounts Payable Current Accounts payable, including contractor payables of $32,275 and $18,110, respectively Accounts Receivable Net Current Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $7,296 and $5,971, respectively Discloses the breakout of accrued expenses and other liabilities that are not individually material for a separate caption on the statement of financial position between the current portion (payable within 12 months of year end or the operating cycle) and non-current (payable after 12 months from year end). Accrued Expenses And Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] ACCRUED EXPENSES AND NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Accrued Liabilities Current Accrued expenses Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Note [Text Block] ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Acquisition [Member] Acquisition Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Text Block] MANAGEMENT'S PLANS REGARDING FUTURE OPERATIONS Additional Paid In Capital Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Other Contribution of services Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Warrant Issued Warrants issued Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued and Beneficial conversion Feature Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Warrant Issued And Beneficial Conversion Feature Issuance of warrants and beneficial conversion feature associated with 5.0% Notes Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operating activities: Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Current Accounts receivable, allowance Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Amortization Of Financing Costs Amortization of deferred financing costs Asset Impairment Charges Impairment of long-lived assets and inventory Assets Total assets Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets Current Total current assets Assets Current [Abstract] Current assets: Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] ACQUISITION OF AXONN Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash Flow Noncash Investing And Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities: Cash Paid During Period For [Abstract] Cash Paid During Period For [Abstract] Cash paid for: Class Of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and contingences (Notes 8 and 9) Commitments Disclosure [Text Block] COMMITMENTS Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Voting Common Stock Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common Stock, par value Common Stock Shares Authorized Common Stock, shares authorized Common Stock Shares Issued Common Stock, shares issued Common Stock Shares Outstanding Common Stock, shares outstanding Common Stock Value Common Stock Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Total comprehensive loss Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Text Block] SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION Construction In Progress Expenditures Incurred But Not Yet Paid Reduction in accrued second-generation satellites and launch costs Describes any existing condition, situation, or set of circumstances involving uncertainty as of the balance sheet date (or prior to issuance of the financial statements) as to a probable or reasonably possible gain or loss incurred by an entity and typically discloses the amount of range of possible gain or loss recorded. Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] CONTINGENCIES Contingent Consideration [Member] Contingent Consideration [Member] Contingent Consideration Contingent Equity Agreement [Member] Contingent Equity Agreement [Member] Contingent Equity Agreement Conversion Of Convertible Notes To Common Stock Conversion Of Convertible Notes To Common Stock Conversion of convertible notes into common stock Conversion of notes to equity investment Conversion Of Notes To Equity Investment Conversion of note receivable to equity in investee company Convertible 8.0 Percent Senior Notes [Member] Convertible 8.0 Percent Senior Notes [Member] Convertible 8.0 Percent Notes Convertible Note One [Member] Convertible Note One [Member] 5.0% convertible notes Convertible Note Two [Member] Convertible Note Two [Member] 8.00% convertible notes Cost Of Goods Sold Cost of subscriber equipment sales Cost Of Services Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation, amortization, and accretion shown separately below) Costs And Expenses Total operating expenses Costs And Expenses [Abstract] Operating expenses: Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Debt Conversion Original Debt Amount 1 Conversion of debt to Series A Convertible Preferred Stock Debt Instrument Convertible Beneficial Conversion Feature Initial Fair Value Debt Instrument Convertible Beneficial Conversion Feature Initial Fair Value Recognition of a beneficial conversion feature and contingent put feature on long-term debt Deferred Finance Costs Noncurrent Net Deferred financing costs Deferred Revenue Current Deferred revenue Deferred Revenue Noncurrent Deferred revenue Depreciation Amortization And Accretion Net Depreciation, amortization, and accretion Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] DERIVATIVES Derivative Liabilities Noncurrent Derivative liabilities Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments [Text Block] STOCK COMPENSATION Document - Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract] Document - Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Document Type Due To Affiliate Current Payables to affiliates Due to Related Party. Due To Related Party [Member] Thermo debt Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Loss per common share: Earnings Per Share Basic Basic Earnings Per Share Diluted Diluted Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Unrealized Foreign currency and other, net Gain Loss On Derivative Instruments Net Pretax Derivative gain (loss) Derivative gain (loss) Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Loss before income taxes Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Loss on equity method investments Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] TAXES Income Taxes Paid Income taxes Income Tax Expense Benefit Income tax expense (benefit) Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable Accounts payable Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable Increase Decrease In Accrued Liabilities Accrued expenses and employee benefit obligations Increase Decrease In Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue Increase Decrease In Due To Affiliates Payables to affiliates Increase Decrease In Inventories Inventory Increase Decrease In Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets Other assets Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities Other non-current liabilities Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash Restricted cash Sum of the carrying amounts of all intangible assets, excluding goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges. Also includes Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of other noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Intangible Assets And Other Assets Noncurrent Intangible and other assets, net Interest Costs Incurred Capitalized Increase in capitalized accrued interest for second-generation satellites and launch costs Interest Expense Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized Interest Paid Interest Interest Payable [Member] Interest Payable [Member] Interest Payments for 8.00% Notes Inventory Net Inventory Inventory Noncurrent Advances for inventory Inventory Write Down Cost of subscriber equipment sales - reduction in the value of inventory Investment Income Interest Interest income Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Settlement [Member] Legal Settlement [Member] Legal Settlement Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities Current Total current liabilities Liabilities Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities Noncurrent Total non-current liabilities Long Term Debt Noncurrent Long-term debt Long Term Debt [Text Block] LONG-TERM DEBT Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Net cash from financing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Income Loss Net loss Net loss Nonoperating Income Expense Total other income (expense) Nonoperating Income Expense [Abstract] Other income (expense): Nonvoting Common Stock [Member] Nonvoting Common Stock Notes Reduction Reduction in assets and liabilities due to note conversion Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract] Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] Operating Income Loss Loss from operations Other Asset Impairment Charges Reduction in the value of long-lived assets Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease Defined benefit pension plan liability adjustment Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease Net foreign currency translation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease Other comprehensive (loss) income Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss): Other Liabilities Current Accounts payable, contractor payables Other Liabilities Noncurrent Other non-current liabilities Other Noncash Income Expense Contingent reimbursements Other Nonoperating Income Expense Other Payments For Construction In Process Second-generation satellites, ground and related launch costs Payments For Derivative Instrument Financing Activities Payments for interest rate cap instrument Payments Of Debt Issuance Costs Capitalization of the accretion of debt discount and amortization of prepaid financing costs Payments Of Financing Costs Deferred financing cost payments Payments To Acquire Equity Method Investments Investment in businesses Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment Property and equipment additions Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] PENSIONS AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Pension And Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans Liabilities Noncurrent Employee benefit obligations Preferred Stock [Member] Preferred Stock Preferred Stock Number Of Shares Par Value And Other Disclosures [Abstract] Preferred Stock of $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized and none issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010: Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Preferred Stock, par value Preferred Stock Shares Authorized Preferred Stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock Shares Issued Preferred Stock, issued Preferred Stock Shares Outstanding Preferred Stock, outstanding Preferred Stock Value Series A Preferred Convertible Stock of $0.0001 par value; one share authorized and none issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010 Prepaid Expense And Other Assets Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Proceeds From Contributions From Affiliates Borrowings from subordinated loan agreement Proceeds From Convertible Debt Proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock Issuance of common stock Proceeds From Lines Of Credit Proceeds from revolving credit loan, net Proceeds From Other Debt Borrowings from Facility Agreement Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities Proceeds from contingent equity account Proceeds From Short Term Debt Borrowings under short-term loan The cash inflow associated with the amount received from holders exercising their stock options and warrants. Proceeds From Stock Option And Warrant Excercises Proceeds from exercise of warrants and stock options Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Property Plant And Equipment Net Property and equipment, net Provision For Doubtful Accounts Provision for bad debts Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) Reclassification Of Derivative Liabilities To Additional Paid In Capital Reclassification Of Derivative Liabilities To Additional Paid In Capital Conversion of contingent equity account derivative liability to equity Related Party [Member] Related Party [Member] Thermo Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS The number of shares returned in connection with an own-share lending arrangement entered into by the entity, in contemplation of a convertible debt offering or other financing. Repurchase Of Common Stock Shares Return of common stock under share loan facility (in shares) Equity impact of the number of shares returned in connection with an own-share lending arrangement entered into by the entity, in contemplation of a convertible debt offering or other financing. Repurchase Of Common Stock Value Return of common stock under share loan facility Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Restricted cash Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents Noncurrent Restricted cash Restructuring And Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] HEADQUARTERS RELOCATION Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Retained deficit Retained Earnings [Member] Retained Deficit Revenues Total revenue Revenues [Abstract] Revenue: Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility Sales Revenue Goods Net Subscriber equipment sales Sales Revenue Services Net Service revenues Scenario Unspecified [Domain] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION Selling General And Administrative Expense Marketing, general, and administrative Senior Subordinated Loans [Member] Subordinated Loans Series A Preferred Stock [Member] Series A Preferred Convertible Stock Series A Preferred Stock Share Based Compensation Stock-based compensation expense Shares Outstanding Ending Balances (in shares) Beginning Balances (in shares) Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Statement Class Of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Statement Equity Components [Axis] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]