Property and Equipment (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	$ 282,457	$ 210,051
EchoStar XIX
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	180,912	122,070
TerreStar-2
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	34,708	16,433
Satellite under construction: Other
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	20,815	24,160
Uplinking equipment
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	20,627	20,793
Construction in progress: Other
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	$ 25,395	$ 26,595