v2.3.0.15

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 1 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Aug. 31, 2010 | Sep. 30, 2011 year satellite customer unit month
Revenue Recognition |  |
Period of service contract under consumer rental program (in months) |  | 24
Reward from the U.S. Government as the only national provider of high-speed satellite broadband service | $ 59 |
Capitalized Software Costs |  |
Estimated useful life of capitalized software costs, maximum (in years) |  | 5

X
- Definition Broadband stimulus programs award from government. + Details
Name: | sats_BroadbandStimulusProgramsAwardFromGovernment
Namespace Prefix: | sats
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | sats_CapitalizedSoftwareCostsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | sats
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Capitalized Software Costs, Estimated Useful Life, Maximum. + Details
Name: | sats_CapitalizedSoftwareCostsEstimatedUsefulLifeMaximum
Namespace Prefix: | sats
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Consumer rental program period of service contract. + Details
Name: | sats_ConsumerRentalProgramPeriodOfServiceContract
Namespace Prefix: | sats
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RevenueRecognitionAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration