Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total RigNet, Inc. Stockholders' Equity	Non-Redeemable, Non-Controlling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ (16,239)	$ 5	$ 9,521	$ (26,847)	$ 941	$ (16,380)	$ 141
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2009		5,318
Issuance of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and warrants	5		5			5
Issuance of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and warrants, shares		1
Preferred stock dividends	(2,430)		(2,430)			(2,430)
Stock-based compensation	334		334			334
Foreign currency translation	(458)				(458)	(458)
Adjustment to redemption value of non-controlling interest	(50)		(50)			(50)
Non-controlling owner distributions	(271)						(271)
Net income (loss)	(10,577)			(10,813)		(10,813)	211
Balance at Sep. 30, 2010	(29,711)	5	7,380	(37,660)	483	(29,792)	81
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2010		5,319
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	67,860	15	110,118	(42,440)	5	67,698	162
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010		14,761
Issuance of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and warrants	64		64			64
Issuance of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and warrants, shares		43
Issuance of restricted stock, shares		144
Forfeiture of restricted stock, shares		(5)
Sale of common stock	5,514		5,514			5,514
Sale of common stock, shares		500
Stock-based compensation	741		741			741
Foreign currency translation	39				39	39
Non-controlling owner distributions	(234)						(234)
Net income (loss)	7,699			7,546		7,546	153
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 81,683	$ 15	$ 116,437	$ (34,894)	$ 44	$ 81,602	$ 81
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2011		15,443