PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Contract Price of Company's Capital Expenditure Contracts) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012
Capitalized Costs Incurred On Contracts [Line Items]
Contract Price	$ 1,012,226
Thales Alenia second-generation satellites (Phase 1 and 2) [Member]
Capitalized Costs Incurred On Contracts [Line Items]
Contract Price	622,690
Arianespace Launch Services [Member]
Capitalized Costs Incurred On Contracts [Line Items]
Contract Price	216,000
Launch Insurance [Member]
Capitalized Costs Incurred On Contracts [Line Items]
Contract Price	39,903
Hughes Next Generation Ground Component [Member]
Capitalized Costs Incurred On Contracts [Line Items]
Contract Price	104,597
Ericsson Next Generation Ground Network [Member]
Capitalized Costs Incurred On Contracts [Line Items]
Contract Price	$ 29,036