PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 1,409,711	$ 1,362,554
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(183,397)	(144,836)
Property and equipment, net	1,226,314	1,217,718
Internally developed and purchased software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	14,140	14,052
Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	12,625	12,333
Land and Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	4,021	4,152
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	1,481	1,402
Global Star System [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	1,377,444	1,330,615
Global Star System [Member] | Space Component [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	931,936	532,487
Global Star System [Member] | Ground Component [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	49,040	49,109
Global Star System [Member] | Construction in Progress [Member] | Space Component [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	294,093	650,920
Global Star System [Member] | Construction in Progress [Member] | Ground Component [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	84,240	80,071
Global Star System [Member] | Construction in Progress [Member] | Other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 18,135	$ 18,028