Multiplication factor for the conversion of original stock option to adjusted stock option.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Multiplication factor for the conversion of original stock option to new stock option.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sats_MultiplicationFactorForConversionOfOriginalStockOptionToNewStockOption
Namespace Prefix:	sats_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents new stock options for a portion of original stock options.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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- Definition

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award equity instruments other than options nonvested right award upon holding one unit of award.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The period of time in which the equity-based award expires.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award right to receive award upon holding one unit of award.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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- Definition

Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph b(2)(b)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph b(2)(a)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of shares reserved for issuance under stock option agreements awarded under the plan that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including vested options.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph b(1)(b)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)(i)-(ii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph b(1)(a)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Stock-Based Compensation (Details)	12 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation (Details)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Class A common stock
Stock-Based Compensation
Number of common stock available for future grant under stock incentive plans (in shares)	5,500,000
EchoStar Awards
Stock-Based Compensation
Restricted stock units (in shares)	151,683
Stock options (in shares)	7,908,300
EchoStar Awards \| Held by EchoStar employees
Stock-Based Compensation
Restricted stock units (in shares)	106,063
Stock options (in shares)	6,798,432
EchoStar Awards \| Held by DISH Network employees
Stock-Based Compensation
Restricted stock units (in shares)	45,620
Stock options (in shares)	1,109,868
DISH Network Awards
Stock-Based Compensation
Restricted stock units (in shares)	94,999
Stock options (in shares)	2,215,313
DISH Network Awards \| Held by EchoStar employees
Stock-Based Compensation
Restricted stock units (in shares)	94,999
Stock options (in shares)	2,215,313
Long-term performance based plans
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock options (in shares)	632,100	658,700	697,100
Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Restricted stock unit converted into new restricted stock units	5
Restricted stock units (in shares)	151,683	144,226	107,249	130,040
Restricted stock units \| Maximum
Stock-Based Compensation
Expiration term	10 years
Stock options
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock option converted into new stock options	2
Multiplication factor for conversion of original stock option to adjusted stock option	0.831219
Multiplication factor for conversion of original stock option to new stock option	0.843907
Portion of the number of shares that were exercisable under the original option needed to receive a new stock option.	20.00%
Stock options (in shares)	7,908,300	8,078,413	7,795,373	7,203,101
Stock options \| Minimum
Stock-Based Compensation
Vesting period	3 years
Stock options \| Maximum
Stock-Based Compensation
Vesting period	5 years