CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (54,924)	$ (97,467)	$ (74,923)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion	50,049	27,418	21,862
Derivative gain (loss)	(23,839)	29,975	15,585
Stock-based compensation expense	1,995	878	9,947
Amortization of deferred financing costs	3,673	3,355	4,056
Impairment of long-lived assets and inventory	12,404	16,014	913
Contingent reimbursements	1,556
Provision for bad debts	1,995	774	824
Loss on equity method investments	420	927	1,928
Foreign currency and other, net	1,962	161	554
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(978)	(5,201)	1,405
Inventory	4,252	(1,402)	4,057
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	354	526	895
Other assets	(1,485)	(4,217)	(4,704)
Accounts payable	6,773	(155)	(8,584)
Payables to affiliates	(332)	163	(2,967)
Accrued expenses and employee benefit obligations	(8,064)	2,953	8,348
Other non-current liabilities	(173)	1,428	796
Deferred revenue	(1,141)	532	1,585
Net cash used in operating activities	(5,503)	(23,338)	(18,423)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Second-generation satellites, ground and related launch costs	(85,589)	(201,124)	(321,827)
Property and equipment additions	(2,594)	(7,286)	(2,271)
Investment in businesses	(800)	(1,110)	(1,823)
Restricted cash	(10,436)	4,129	14,229
Net cash used in investing activities	(99,419)	(205,391)	(311,692)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving credit loan, net			7,750
Borrowings from Facility Agreement	18,659	188,417	371,219
Borrowings from subordinated loan agreement	12,500		25,000
Borrowings under short-term loan			2,259
Proceeds from contingent equity account	14,200
Deferred financing cost payments	(1,246)	(70)	(63,047)
Payments for interest rate cap instrument			(12,425)
Proceeds from exercise of warrants and stock options	525	6,249
Issuance of common stock		74	1,000
Net cash from financing activities	82,638	194,670	386,756
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(782)	(805)	(1,117)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(23,066)	(34,864)	55,524
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	33,017	67,881	12,357
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	9,951	33,017	67,881
Cash paid for:
Interest	19,357	17,193	15,379
Income taxes	97	111	308
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:
Conversion of debt to Series A Convertible Preferred Stock			180,177
Conversion of note receivable to equity in investee company			7,500
Reduction in accrued second-generation satellites and launch costs	4,798	37,590	58,055
Increase in capitalized accrued interest for second-generation satellites and launch costs	1,529	1,666	7,185
Capitalization of the accretion of debt discount and amortization of prepaid financing costs	24,200	23,256	13,879
Payments made in common stock	6,893	3,790	7,257
Reduction in assets and liabilities due to note conversion	1,538	7,685
Conversion of convertible notes into common stock	1,000	6,335	10,738
Conversion of contingent equity account derivative liability to equity	5,955	11,940
Value of warrants issued in connection with the contingent equity account loan fee	8,318	9,717	7,809
Recognition of a beneficial conversion feature and contingent put feature on long-term debt	18,603
Value of warrants issued in connection with raising capital and debt	8,081
5.0% convertible notes
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes	38,000
8.00% convertible notes
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes			$ 55,000