Supplemental Consolidating Financial Information - Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	$ 97,101	$ 122,081
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)	(167,154)	(260,867)
Proceeds from insurance settlements	252,911
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds	(19,199)
Other investing activities	(1,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	65,558	(260,867)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(60,254)	(20,334)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	40,000	175,000
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives	(4,276)	(4,011)
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest	6,105	6,105
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(1,723)	(2,255)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(20,148)	154,505
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1,211)	1,044
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	141,300	16,763
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	187,446	294,700
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	328,746	311,463
Intelsat Investments S.A. [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:	(1,579)	1,455
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)
Proceeds from insurance settlements
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds
Disbursements for intercompany loans
Investment in subsidiaries	(4,365)	(3,000)
Dividend from affiliates	5,090	1,500
Other investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	725	(1,500)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing	1,350
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives
Capital contribution from parent
Dividends to shareholders
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,350
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2)	(1)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	494	(46)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	42	511
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	536	465
Intelsat Investments S.A. [Member] \| Statement Scenario With Jackson Subsidiary Guarantors Breakout [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:	(1,579)	1,455
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)
Proceeds from insurance settlements
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds
Disbursements for intercompany loans
Investment in subsidiaries	(4,365)	(3,000)
Dividend from affiliates	5,090	1,500
Other investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	725	(1,500)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing	1,350
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives
Capital contribution from parent
Dividends to shareholders
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,350
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2)	(1)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	494	(46)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	42	511
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	536	465
Intelsat Luxembourg [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:	(326,867)	(324,777)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)
Proceeds from insurance settlements
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds
Disbursements for intercompany loans
Investment in subsidiaries
Dividend from affiliates	333,443	325,550
Other investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	333,443	325,550
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives
Capital contribution from parent
Dividends to shareholders	(5,090)	(1,500)
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(5,090)	(1,500)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	1,486	(727)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	91	908
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,577	181
Intelsat Luxembourg [Member] \| Statement Scenario With Jackson Subsidiary Guarantors Breakout [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:	(326,867)	(324,777)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)
Proceeds from insurance settlements
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds
Disbursements for intercompany loans
Investment in subsidiaries
Dividend from affiliates	333,443	325,550
Other investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	333,443	325,550
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives
Capital contribution from parent
Dividends to shareholders	(5,090)	(1,500)
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(5,090)	(1,500)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	1,486	(727)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	91	908
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,577	181
Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:	41,158	(141,999)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)
Proceeds from insurance settlements
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds
Disbursements for intercompany loans
Investment in subsidiaries	(11,613)	(35,690)
Dividend from affiliates	346,000	479,241
Other investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	333,387	443,551
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(48,045)	(8,125)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	40,000	175,000
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing	73,826	23,321
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives
Capital contribution from parent
Dividends to shareholders	(333,443)	(325,550)
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(267,662)	(135,354)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2)	(2)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	107,881	166,196
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,271	2,269
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	110,152	168,465
Intelsat Jackson [Member] \| Statement Scenario With Jackson Subsidiary Guarantors Breakout [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:	431,214	417,929
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)	(165,385)	(258,281)
Proceeds from insurance settlements	252,911
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds	(19,199)
Disbursements for intercompany loans	627	4,884
Investment in subsidiaries		346
Dividend from affiliates	750	11,091
Other investing activities	(1,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	68,704	(241,960)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(48,045)	(8,125)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	40,000	175,000
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives	(4,276)	(3,570)
Capital contribution from parent
Dividends to shareholders	(333,443)	(325,550)
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(345,764)	(162,245)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(324)	102
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	153,830	13,826
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	133,379	240,175
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	287,209	254,001
Intelsat Jackson Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors) [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:	384,389	587,402
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)	(167,154)	(260,867)
Proceeds from insurance settlements	252,911
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds	(19,199)
Disbursements for intercompany loans	(75,176)	(23,321)
Investment in subsidiaries
Dividend from affiliates
Other investing activities	(1,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(9,618)	(284,188)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(12,209)	(12,209)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives	(4,276)	(4,011)
Capital contribution from parent	15,978	38,690
Dividends to shareholders	(346,000)	(479,241)
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest	6,105	6,105
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(1,723)	(2,255)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(342,125)	(452,921)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1,207)	1,047
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	31,439	(148,660)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	185,042	291,012
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	216,481	142,352
Consolidation and Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)
Proceeds from insurance settlements
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds
Disbursements for intercompany loans	75,176	23,321
Investment in subsidiaries	15,978	38,690
Dividend from affiliates	(684,533)	(806,291)
Other investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(593,379)	(744,280)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing	75,176	(23,321)
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives
Capital contribution from parent	(15,978)	(38,690)
Dividends to shareholders	684,553	806,291
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	593,379	744,280
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
Consolidation and Eliminations [Member] \| Statement Scenario With Jackson Subsidiary Guarantors Breakout [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:	(617,118)	(559,928)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)	165,385	258,281
Proceeds from insurance settlements	(252,911)
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds	19,199
Disbursements for intercompany loans	230,632	13,553
Investment in subsidiaries	4,416	2,308
Dividend from affiliates	(340,033)	(349,232)
Other investing activities	(1,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(172,312)	(75,090)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing	69,627	4,884
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives	4,276	3,570
Capital contribution from parent	(16,029)	(38,344)
Dividends to shareholders	685,283	817,382
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	743,157	787,492
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	323	(104)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(45,950)	152,370
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	(131,107)	(237,906)
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	(177,057)	(85,536)
Consolidated [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:	97,101	122,081
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)	(167,154)	(260,867)
Proceeds from insurance settlements	252,911
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds	(19,199)
Disbursements for intercompany loans
Investment in subsidiaries
Dividend from affiliates
Other investing activities	(1,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(65,558)	(260,867)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(60,254)	(20,334)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	40,000	175,000
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives	(4,276)	(4,011)
Capital contribution from parent
Dividends to shareholders
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest	6,105	6,105
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(1,723)	(2,255)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(20,148)	154,505
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1,211)	1,044
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	141,300	16,763
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	187,446	294,700
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	328,746	311,463
Consolidated [Member] \| Statement Scenario With Jackson Subsidiary Guarantors Breakout [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:	97,101	122,081
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)	(167,154)	(260,867)
Proceeds from insurance settlements	252,911
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds	(19,199)
Disbursements for intercompany loans
Investment in subsidiaries
Dividend from affiliates
Other investing activities	(1,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	65,558	(260,867)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(60,254)	(20,334)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	40,000	175,000
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives	(4,276)	(4,011)
Capital contribution from parent
Dividends to shareholders
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest	6,105	6,105
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(1,723)	(2,255)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(20,148)	154,505
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1,211)	1,044
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	141,300	16,763
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	187,446	294,700
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	328,746	311,463
Jackson Subsidiary Guarantors [Member] \| Statement Scenario With Jackson Subsidiary Guarantors Breakout [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:	617,169	559,928
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)	(165,385)	(258,281)
Proceeds from insurance settlements	252,911
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds	(19,199)
Disbursements for intercompany loans	(231,259)	(18,437)
Investment in subsidiaries	(51)	346
Dividend from affiliates	750	11,091
Other investing activities	(1,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(163,233)	(265,281)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing	(69,000)
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives	(4,276)	(3,570)
Capital contribution from parent	11,613	35,690
Dividends to shareholders	(346,000)	(479,241)
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(407,663)	(447,121)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(323)	104
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	45,950	(152,370)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	131,107	237,906
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	177,057	85,536
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] \| Statement Scenario With Jackson Subsidiary Guarantors Breakout [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:	(5,718)	27,474
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)	(1,769)	(2,586)
Proceeds from insurance settlements
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds
Disbursements for intercompany loans
Investment in subsidiaries
Dividend from affiliates
Other investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,769)	(2,586)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(12,209)	(12,209)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing	(1,977)	(4,884)
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives		(441)
Capital contribution from parent	4,416	2,654
Dividends to shareholders	(750)	(11,091)
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest	6,105	6,105
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(1,723)	(2,255)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(6,138)	(22,121)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(885)	943
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(14,510)	3,710
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	53,934	53,106
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 39,424	$ 56,816

INTELSAT INVESTMENTS S.A. 10-Q