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Property and Equipment - Construction in Progress (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Property and equipment |  |  |
Construction in progress | $ 1,112,267 | $ 637,189 |
Capitalized interest related to satellites under construction | 63,808 | 23,774 | $ 3,968
Progress amounts for satellite construction including prepayments under capital leases and launch services costs |  |  |
Property and equipment |  |  |
Construction in progress | 963,103 | 583,877 |
Satellite related equipment |  |  |
Property and equipment |  |  |
Construction in progress | 126,373 | 34,270 |
Construction in progress: Other |  |  |
Property and equipment |  |  |
Construction in progress | $ 22,791 | $ 19,042 |

X
- Definition Amount of structure or a modification to a structure under construction. Includes recently completed structures or modifications to structures that have not been placed into service. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 + Details
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X
- Definition Amount of interest capitalized during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Allowance for Funds Used during Construction -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6504829 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391 + Details
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