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Supplemental Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities			$ 0	$ 1,072
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Property and equipment financed under capital lease obligations			187	8,423
Increase (decrease) in capital expenditures included in accounts payable, net			24,408	(2,257)
Transfer of launch service contracts from (to) EchoStar				(145,114)
Contribution of noncash net assets pursuant to Share Exchange Agreement (Note 1)				219,662
Noncash net assets exchanged for HSS Tracking Stock (Note 1)				(190,221)
Capitalized in-orbit incentive obligations				31,000
Contribution of EchoStar XIX satellite				514,448
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Restricted Cash	$ 800	$ 800	800	800	$ 800	$ 700
Research and Development Expense [Abstract]
Research and development expenses	6,544	8,302	20,328	23,444
Capitalized Software Costs
Payments to Develop Software			24,568	25,447
Other Noncurrent Assets
Capitalized Software Costs
Capitalized Computer Software, Net	95,700		95,700		88,100
Capitalized Software Development Costs for Software Sold to Customers	31,300		31,300		19,600
Payments to Develop Software	9,600	8,300	24,600	25,400
Capitalized Computer Software, Amortization	5,800	5,500	$ 16,900	14,100
Weighted Average
Capitalized Software Costs
Software Useful Life			3 years
Contract Acquisition Costs
Capitalized Contract Cost [Abstract]
Capitalized Contract Cost, Net	104,500		$ 104,500
Capitalized Contract Cost, Amortization	21,000		61,700
Contract Fulfillment Costs
Capitalized Contract Cost [Abstract]
Capitalized Contract Cost, Net	2,600		2,600
Level 2
Fair Value Measurements
Obligations, Fair Value Disclosure	95,300		95,300		$ 99,300
Cost of Sales
Research and Development Expense [Abstract]
Research and development expenses	5,555	7,038	18,443	20,724
Research and Development Expense
Research and Development Expense [Abstract]
Research and development expenses	$ 6,544	$ 8,302	$ 20,328	$ 23,444