Iridium Communications (IRDM) 10-K 4 Mar 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 27, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Iridium Communications Inc.	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001418819	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Trading Symbol	'IRDM	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	76,689,814	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Interactive Data Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$494.30

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$186,342	$254,418
Marketable securities	76,647	0
Accounts receivable, net	54,758	56,135
Inventory	29,532	26,335
Deferred tax assets, net	9,076	21,160
Income tax receivable	685	4,302
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	12,518	4,816
Total current assets	369,558	367,166
Property and equipment, net	1,575,579	1,210,693
Restricted cash	81,223	54,233
Other assets	8,909	2,912
Intangible assets, net	57,452	70,502
Deferred financing costs	130,036	123,796
Goodwill	87,039	87,039
Total assets	2,309,796	1,916,341
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	12,934	13,834
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	39,209	26,704
Interest payable	7,989	5,359
Deferred revenue	41,367	42,755
Total current liabilities	101,499	88,652
Accrued satellite operations and maintenance expense, net of current portion	16,389	17,727
Credit facility	1,039,203	751,787
Deferred tax liabilities, net	202,825	167,821
Other long-term liabilities	10,385	13,796
Total liabilities	1,370,301	1,039,783
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity	'	'
Series A Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 300,000 shares authorized and 76,690 and 76,461 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	77	76
Additional paid-in capital	801,262	793,511
Retained earnings	138,845	83,328
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	-689	-357
Total stockholders' equity	939,495	876,558
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$2,309,796	$1,916,341

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets [Parenthetical] (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000	1,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	1,000	1,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	1,000	1,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000	300,000
Common stock, shares issued	76,690	76,461
Common stock, shares outstanding	76,690	76,461

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenue:	'	'	'
Services	$292,092	$273,491	$262,322
Subscriber equipment	73,303	93,866	94,709
Engineering and support services	17,254	16,163	27,276
Total revenue	382,649	383,520	384,307
Operating expenses:	'	'	'
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	59,346	60,937	71,181
Cost of subscriber equipment	52,062	53,285	54,113
Research and development	11,149	15,525	18,684
Selling, general and administrative	75,218	67,589	65,682
Depreciation and amortization	74,980	81,110	97,646
Total operating expenses	272,755	278,446	307,306
Operating income	109,894	105,074	77,001
Other income (expense):	'	'	'
Interest income, net	2,276	1,072	1,200
Undrawn credit facility fees	-7,708	-10,232	-12,524
Other income (expense), net	6,003	-896	-96
Total other income (expense)	571	-10,056	-11,420
Income before income taxes	110,465	95,018	65,581
Provision for income taxes	-47,948	-30,387	-24,546
Net income	62,517	64,631	41,035
Series A Preferred Stock dividends	7,000	1,692	0
Net income attributable to common stockholders	55,517	62,939	41,035
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	76,909	74,239	72,164
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	87,511	78,182	73,559
Net income attributable to common stockholders per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$0.72	$0.85	$0.57
Net income attributable to common stockholders per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.71	$0.83	$0.56
Comprehensive income:	'	'	'
Net income	62,517	64,631	41,035
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-322	-132	-315
Unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax	-10	0	0
Comprehensive income	$62,185	$64,499	$40,720

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
In Thousands
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$654,916	$0	$70	$675,402	$90	($20,646)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	'	0	70,254	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	6,341	0	0	6,341	0	0
Stock issued upon exchange of warrants	1	0	3	-2	0	0
Stock issued upon exchange of warrants (in shares)	'	0	2,946	'	'	'
Stock issued upon exercise of stock options	40	0	0	40	0	0
Stock issued upon exercise of stock options (in shares)	'	0	5	'	'	'
Stock withheld to cover employee taxes	0	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	41,035	0	0	0	0	41,035
Dividends on Series A Preferred Stock	0	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-315	0	0	0	-315	0
Unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax	0	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	702,018	0	73	681,781	-225	20,389
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	'	0	73,205	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	8,150	0	0	8,150	0	0
Issuance of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock	96,499	0	0	96,499	0	0
Issuance of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (in shares)	'	1,000	0	'	'	'
Stock issued upon exercise of stock warrants	9,114	0	1	9,113	0	0
Stock issued upon exercise of stock warrants (in shares)	'	0	1,302	'	'	'
Stock issued upon exchange of warrants and related transaction costs	-2,073	0	2	-2,075	0	0
Stock issued upon exchange of warrants and related transaction costs (in shares)	'	0	1,949	'	'	'
Stock issued upon exercise of stock options	43	0	0	43	0	0
Stock issued upon exercise of stock options (in shares)	'	0	5	'	'	'
Stock withheld to cover employee taxes	0	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	64,631	0	0	0	0	64,631
Dividends on Series A Preferred Stock	-1,692	0	0	0	0	-1,692
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-132	0	0	0	-132	0
Unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax	0	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	876,558	0	76	793,511	-357	83,328
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	1,000	76,461	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	7,749	0	0	7,749	0	0
Stock issued upon exercise of stock warrants	4	0	0	4	0	0
Stock issued upon exercise of stock warrants (in shares)	'	0	1	'	'	'
Stock issued upon exercise of stock options	25	0	1	24	0	0
Stock issued upon exercise of stock options (in shares)	4	0	228	'	'	'
Stock withheld to cover employee taxes	-26	0	0	-26	0	0
Net income	62,517	0	0	0	0	62,517
Dividends on Series A Preferred Stock	-7,000	0	0	0	0	-7,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-322	0	0	0	-322	0
Unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax	-10	0	0	0	-10	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$939,495	$0	$77	$801,262	($689)	$138,845
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	1,000	76,690	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income	$62,517	$64,631	$41,035
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Deferred taxes	47,095	29,549	22,563
Depreciation and amortization	74,980	81,110	97,646
Stock-based compensation	6,715	7,332	5,895
Provision for doubtful accounts	-525	722	0
Provision for obsolete inventory	1,479	0	0
Loss on equity method investment	3,332	826	0
Amortization of premiums on marketable securities	546	0	0
Realized loss on sale of marketable securities	82	0	0
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	0	0	-13
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	1,901	561	-7,140
Inventory	-4,633	-11,199	1,577
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-7,684	-200	363
Income tax receivable	3,617	28	6,773
Other assets	-4,328	364	110
Accounts payable	-5,603	464	454
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	9,694	-6,400	-2,417
Deferred revenue	5,612	7,310	7,230
Accrued satellite and network operation expense, net of current portion	-1,338	-1,338	-1,337
Other long-term liabilities	-10,411	263	10,722
Net cash provided by operating activities	183,048	174,023	183,461
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	-403,547	-441,654	-359,404
Purchases of marketable securities	-126,408	0	0
Sales and maturities of marketable securities	49,119	0	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	0	67
Investment in equity method affiliate	-5,000	-1,888	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-485,836	-443,542	-359,337
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Borrowings under the Credit Facility	287,416	334,654	274,976
Payment of deferred financing fees	-18,716	-22,168	-33,450
Change in restricted cash - Credit Facility	-26,990	-27,079	-27,034
Payment of note payable	0	0	-22,223
Proceeds from exercise of warrants	3	9,114	1
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	25	43	40
Tax payment upon settlement of stock awards	-26	0	0
Payment of warrant exchange transaction costs	0	-2,073	0
Proceeds from issuance of Series A Preferred Stock, net of issuance costs	0	96,499	0
Dividends paid	-7,000	-1,419	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	234,712	387,571	192,310
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-68,076	118,052	16,434
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	254,418	136,366	119,932
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	186,342	254,418	136,366
Supplemental cash flow information:	'	'	'
Interest paid	11,255	6,971	4,528
Income taxes paid (refunded), net	-2,920	348	-6,296
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:	'	'	'
Property and equipment received but not paid for yet	10,690	3,516	14,409
Interest capitalized but not paid	7,989	5,359	2,979
Capitalized paid-in-kind interest	25,715	16,059	7,012
Capitalized amortization of deferred financing costs	12,475	3,896	0
Stock-based compensation capitalized	1,034	819	446
Contribution of fixed assets to Aireon	0	1,353	0
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:	'	'	'
Dividends accrued on Series A Preferred Stock	$292	$273	$0

Organization_and_Business

Organization and Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	1. Organization and Business
	Iridium Communications Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, offers voice and data communications services and products to businesses, U.S. and international government agencies and other customers on a global basis. The Company is a provider of mobile voice and data communications services via a constellation of low earth orbiting satellites. The Company holds various licenses and authorizations from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) and from foreign regulatory bodies that permit the Company to conduct its business, including the operation of its satellite constellation.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	2. Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation
	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
	The Company has prepared the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of (i) the Company, (ii) its wholly owned subsidiaries, and (iii) all less than wholly owned subsidiaries that the Company controls. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated and net income not attributable to the Company (when material) has been allocated to noncontrolling interests.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
	Fair Value Measurements
	The Company evaluates assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements on a recurring and non-recurring basis to determine the appropriate level to classify them for each reporting period. This determination requires significant judgments to be made by management of the Company. The instruments identified as subject to fair value measurements on a recurring basis are cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, prepaid expenses, deposits and other current assets, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Fair value is the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability assuming an orderly transaction in the most advantageous market at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework which prioritizes and ranks the level of observability of inputs used in measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following tiers:
		•	Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
		•	Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and
		•	Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the carrying values of short-term financial instruments (primarily cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses, deposits and other current assets, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities and other obligations) approximate their fair values because of their short-term nature. The fair value of the Company’s investments in money market funds approximates their carrying value; such instruments are classified as Level 1 and are included in cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The fair value of the Company’s investments in commercial paper and short-term U.S. agency securities with original maturities of less than ninety days approximates their carrying value; such instruments are classified as Level 2 and are included in cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheet.
	The fair value of the Company’s investments in fixed-income debt securities and commercial paper with original maturities of greater than ninety days are obtained using similar investments traded on active securities exchanges and are classified as Level 2.
	Concentrations of Credit Risk
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and receivables. The majority of cash is swept nightly into a money market fund invested in U.S. treasuries, Agency Mortgage Backed Securities and/or U.S. Government guaranteed debt. While the Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions with high credit ratings, it often maintains those deposits in federally insured financial institutions in excess of federally insured (FDIC) limits. The Company’s marketable securities are highly-rated corporate and foreign fixed-income debt securities and commercial paper with an original maturity in excess of ninety days. The Company performs credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and records reserves to provide for estimated credit losses. Accounts receivable are due from both domestic and international customers.
	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of ninety days or less to be cash equivalents. The cash and cash equivalents balance as of December 31, 2012 consisted of cash deposited in money market funds and regular interest bearing and non-interest bearing depository accounts. In 2013, the Company made investments in commercial paper and government-issued debt securities with original maturities within ninety days of purchase. These investments, along with cash deposited in money market funds, regular interest bearing and non-interest bearing depository accounts, are classified as cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2013 on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company is required to maintain a minimum cash reserve for debt service related to its $1.8 billion loan facility (the “Credit Facility”). As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s restricted cash balance, which includes a minimum cash reserve for debt service related to the Credit Facility and the interest earned on these amounts, was $81.2 million and $54.2 million, respectively.
	Marketable Securities
	Marketable securities consist of corporate and foreign fixed-income debt securities and commercial paper with an original maturity in excess of ninety days. These investments are classified as available-for-sale and are included in current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. All investments are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, are reported as a component of other comprehensive income or loss. The specific identification method is used to determine the cost basis of the marketable securities sold. There were no material realized gains or losses on the sale of marketable securities for the year ended December 31, 2013. The Company regularly monitors and evaluates the fair value of its investments to identify other-than-temporary declines in value. The Company determined that no other-than-temporary declines in value existed at December 31, 2013. The Company did not have any marketable securities at December 31, 2012.
	Accounts Receivable
	Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and are subject to late fee penalties. Management develops its estimate of an allowance for uncollectible receivables based on the Company’s experience with specific customers, aging of outstanding invoices, its understanding of customers’ current economic circumstances and its own judgment as to the likelihood that the Company will ultimately receive payment. The Company writes off its accounts receivable when balances ultimately are deemed uncollectible. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.5 million and $1.1 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Foreign Currencies
	The functional currency of the Company’s foreign consolidated subsidiaries is their local currency. Assets and liabilities of its foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars based on exchange rates at the end of the reporting period. Income and expense items are translated at the weighted average exchange rates prevailing during the reporting period. Translation adjustments are accumulated in a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Transaction gains or losses are classified as other income (expense), net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
	Internally Developed Software
	The Company capitalizes the costs of acquiring, developing and testing software to meet its internal needs. Capitalization of costs associated with software obtained or developed for internal use commences when the preliminary project stage is complete and it is probable that the project will be completed and used to perform the function intended. Capitalized costs include only (i) external direct cost of materials and services consumed in developing or obtaining internal-use software and (ii) payroll and payroll-related costs for employees who are directly associated with, and devote time to, the internal-use software project. Capitalization of such costs ceases no later than the point at which the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Internal use software costs are amortized once the software is placed in service using the straight-line method over periods ranging from three to seven years.
	Deferred Financing Costs
	Direct and incremental costs incurred in connection with securing debt financing are deferred and are amortized as additional interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the related debt.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had deferred approximately $130.0 million and $123.8 million, respectively, of direct and incremental financing costs associated with securing debt financing for Iridium NEXT, the Company’s next-generation satellite constellation.
	Capitalized Interest
	Interest costs associated with financing the Company’s assets during the construction period of Iridium NEXT have been capitalized. Capitalized interest and interest expense were as follows:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011
			(In thousands)
	Capitalized interest		$	52,136	$	29,305	$	12,825
	Interest expense			583		114		42
	Total interest		$	52,719	$	29,419	$	12,867
	Inventory
	Inventory consists primarily of finished goods, although the Company at times also maintains an inventory of raw materials from third-party manufacturers. The Company outsources manufacturing of subscriber equipment to third-party manufacturers and purchases accessories from third-party suppliers. The Company’s cost of inventory includes an allocation of overhead (including payroll and payroll-related costs of employees directly involved in bringing inventory to its existing condition, and freight). Inventories are valued using the average cost method and are carried at the lower of cost or market. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $1.5 million expense included within cost of subscriber equipment for excess and obsolete inventory primarily related to Iridium 9505 handset accessories. No similar charge was incurred during 2012.
	The Company has manufacturing agreements with two suppliers to manufacture subscriber equipment, one of which contains minimum monthly purchase requirements. The Company’s purchases have exceeded the monthly minimum requirements since inception. Pursuant to an agreement with the suppliers, the Company may be required to purchase excess materials if the materials are not used in production within the periods specified in the agreement. The suppliers will then repurchase such materials from the Company at the same price paid by the Company, as required for the production of the subscriber equipment.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company accounts for stock-based compensation at fair value. The fair value of stock options is determined at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is equal to the closing price of the underlying common stock on the grant date. The fair value of an award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service or performance period and is classified in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income in a manner consistent with the classification of the recipient’s compensation. Stock-based awards to non-employee consultants are expensed at their fair value as services are provided according to the terms of their agreements and are classified in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Classification of stock-based compensation for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
			2013		2012
			(In thousands)
	Property and equipment, net		$	991	$	760
	Inventory			43		60
	Cost of subscriber equipment			32		157
	Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)			550		608
	Research and development			132		209
	Selling, general and administrative			6,001		6,356
	Total stock-based compensation		$	7,749	$	8,150
	Depreciation Expense
	The Company calculates depreciation expense using the straight-line method and evaluates the appropriateness of the useful life used in this calculation on a quarterly basis. During 2012, the Company updated its analysis of the current satellite constellation’s health and remaining useful life. Based on the results of this analysis, the Company estimates that its current constellation of satellites will be operational for longer than previously expected. As a result, the estimated useful life of the current constellation has been extended and is also consistent with the expected deployment of Iridium NEXT. This change in estimated useful life resulted in a decrease in depreciation expense compared to the prior year. The change in accounting estimate reduced depreciation expense in 2012 by $19.6 million. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the reduction in depreciation expense increased basic and diluted net income per share by $0.17 and $0.16, respectively.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
	Satellites	estimated useful life
	Ground system	5-7 years
	Equipment	3-5 years
	Internally developed software and purchased software	3-7 years
	Building	39 years
	Building improvements	estimated useful life
	Leasehold improvements	shorter of useful life or remaining lease term
	The estimated useful lives of the Company’s satellites are the remaining period of expected use for each satellite. Satellites are depreciated on a straight-line basis through the earlier of the estimated remaining useful life or the date they are expected to be replaced by Iridium NEXT satellites. Based on the current launch schedule, the Company expects Iridium NEXT satellites to begin deployment in 2015, with the final launch expected to occur by mid-2017.
	Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
	Long-Lived Assets
The Company assesses its long-lived assets for impairment when indicators of impairment exist. Recoverability of assets is measured by comparing the carrying amounts of the assets to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. Any impairment loss would be measured as the excess of the assets’ carrying amount over their fair value.
During the period covered by this report, the Company lost communication with two of its in-orbit satellites, one in 2012 and one in 2011. As a result, impairment charges of $2.0 million and $3.0 million were recorded within depreciation expense during 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company had in-orbit spare satellites available to replace the lost satellites. No similar satellite loss occurred during 2013. However, the Company lost communication with an in-orbit satellite during January 2014 and, as a result, an impairment charge of $0.9 million will be recorded within depreciation expense during the first quarter of 2014. The Company does not believe the loss of this satellite in 2014 is an indicator of impairment of the individual satellite or the constellation as of December 31, 2013.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of the acquisition cost of businesses over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Impairment testing for goodwill is performed during the fourth quarter of each annual period or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist. Goodwill impairment is determined using a two-step process.  The first step involves a comparison of the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill.  If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired and the second step of the impairment test is not necessary.  If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, then the second step of the goodwill impairment test must be performed.  To measure the amount of impairment loss, if any, the implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. Specifically, the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
The Company operates in a single reporting unit and the possibility of impairment is assessed by comparing the carrying amount of the reporting unit to its estimated fair value.  The Company determines the estimated fair value of the reporting unit based on a combination of the market approach using comparable public companies (guideline company method) and the income approach using discounted cash flows. These valuation techniques involve the use of estimates and assumptions.
The most recent annual assessment of goodwill and indefinite-lived assets was performed on October 1, 2013 (the “2013 Analysis”).  The key assumptions used in the 2013 Analysis included: (i) cash flow projections through 2025, which include assumptions relative to forecasted service revenue, equipment revenue, engineering and support service revenue, hosted payload revenue, operating expenses and Iridium NEXT capital expenditures; (ii) a discount rate of 10.0% applied to the cash flow projections, which was based on the weighted average cost of capital adjusted for the risks associated for the business; (iii) selection of comparable companies used in the market approach; (iv) assumptions in weighting the results of the income approach and the market approach valuation techniques; and (v) expected distributions from Aireon. Based on the results of the first step of the 2013 Analysis, the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying value.  As such, the second step of the goodwill impairment test was not required and no impairment charge was recorded during the period.  In future periods, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, we may be exposed to impairment losses that could be material to our results of operations.
Intangible Assets Not Subject to Amortization
A portion of the Company’s intangible assets are spectrum, regulatory authorizations, and trade names which are indefinite-lived intangible assets. The Company reevaluates the useful life determination for these assets each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life. The Company tests its indefinite-lived intangible assets for potential impairment annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. If the fair value of the indefinite-lived asset is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized. Based on the results of the 2013 Analysis, the fair value of the indefinite-lived assets was greater than the carrying value. As such, no impairment charge was recorded during the period.
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization
The Company’s intangible assets that do have finite lives (customer relationships – government and commercial, core developed technology, intellectual property and software) are amortized over their useful lives and reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If any indicators were present, the Company would test for recoverability by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the asset. If those net undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying amount (i.e., the asset is not recoverable), the Company would perform the next step, which is to determine the fair value of the asset and record an impairment loss, if any. The Company also reevaluates the useful lives for these intangible assets each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision in their remaining useful lives.
Asset Retirement Obligations
Liabilities arising from legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets are required to be measured at fair value and recorded as a liability. Upon initial recognition of a liability for retirement obligations, a company must record an asset, which is depreciated over the life of the asset to be retired.
Under certain circumstances, each of the U.S. government, The Boeing Company (“Boeing”), and Motorola Solutions, Inc. (“Motorola Solutions”) has the right to require the de-orbit of the Company’s satellite constellation. One such right the U.S. government holds is to require the Company to de-orbit the satellite constellation if more than four satellites have insufficient fuel to execute a 12-month de-orbit, as is currently the case. In the event the Company was required to effect a mass de-orbit, pursuant to the amended and restated operations and maintenance agreement (the “O&M Agreement”) by and between the Company’s indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Iridium Constellation LLC (“Iridium Constellation”), and Boeing, the Company would be required to pay Boeing $17.6 million, plus an amount equivalent to the premium for de-orbit insurance coverage ($2.5 million as of December 31, 2013). The Company has concluded that each of the foregoing de-orbit rights meets the definition of an asset retirement obligation. However, the Company currently does not believe the U.S. government, Boeing or Motorola Solutions will exercise their respective de-orbit rights. As a result, the Company believes the likelihood of any future cash outflows associated with the mass de-orbit obligation is remote and has recorded an asset retirement obligation with respect to the potential mass de-orbit of approximately $0.2 million at December 31, 2013, which is included in other long-term liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
There are other circumstances in which the Company could be required, either by the U.S. government or for technical reasons, to de-orbit an individual satellite; however, the Company believes that such costs would not be significant relative to the costs associated with the ordinary operations of the satellite constellation.
Revenue Recognition
The Company derives its revenue primarily as a wholesaler of satellite communications products and services. The primary types of revenue include (i) service revenue (access and usage-based airtime fees), (ii) subscriber equipment revenue, and (iii) revenue generated by providing engineering and support services to commercial and government customers.
Wholesaler of satellite communications products and services
Pursuant to wholesale agreements, the Company sells its products and services to service providers who, in turn, sell the products and services to other distributors or directly to the end users. The Company recognizes revenue when services are performed or delivery has occurred, evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collection is probable, as follows:
Contracts with multiple elements
At times, the Company sells services and equipment through multi-element arrangements that bundle equipment, airtime and other services. For multi-element revenue arrangements when the Company sells services and equipment in bundled arrangements that include guaranteed minimum orders and determines that it has separate units of accounting, the Company allocates the bundled contract price among the various contract deliverables based on each deliverable’s relative selling price. The selling price used for each deliverable is based on vendor-specific objective evidence when available, third-party evidence when vendor-specific objective evidence is not available, or the estimated selling price when neither vendor-specific evidence nor third party evidence is available. The Company determines vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price by assessing sales prices of subscriber equipment, airtime and other services when they are sold to customers on a stand-alone basis. When the Company determines the elements are not separate units of accounting, the Company recognizes revenue on a combined basis as the last element is delivered.
Service revenue sold on a stand-alone basis
Service revenue is generated from the Company’s service providers through usage of its satellite system and through fixed monthly access fees per user charged to service providers. Revenue for usage is recognized when usage occurs. Revenue for fixed-per-user access fees is recognized ratably over the period in which the services are provided to the end user. The Company sells prepaid services in the form of e-vouchers and prepaid cards. A liability is established for the cash paid for the e-voucher or prepaid card on purchase. The Company recognizes revenue from the prepaid services (i) upon the use of the e-voucher or prepaid card by the customer; (ii) upon the expiration of the right to access the prepaid service; or (iii) when it is determined that the likelihood of the prepaid card being redeemed by the customer is remote (“Prepaid Card Breakage”). The Company has determined the recognition of Prepaid Card Breakage based on its historical redemption patterns. The Company does not offer refund privileges for unused prepaid services.
Subscriber equipment sold on a stand-alone basis
The Company recognizes subscriber equipment sales and the related costs when title to the equipment (and the risks and rewards of ownership) passes to the customer, typically upon shipment.
Services sold to the U.S. government
The Company provides airtime and airtime support to U.S. government and other authorized customers pursuant to the Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services (“EMSS”) contract managed by the Defense Information Systems Agency (“DISA”). The EMSS contract, entered into in April 2008, provided for a one-year base term and four additional one-year options which were exercised at the election of the U.S. government. Under the terms of this contract, the Company provided airtime to U.S. government subscribers through (i) fixed monthly fees on a per-user basis for unlimited voice services, (ii) fixed monthly fees per user for unlimited paging services, (iii) a tiered pricing plan (based on usage) per device for data services, (iv) fixed monthly fees on a per-user basis for unlimited beyond-line-of-sight push-to-talk voice services to user-defined groups (“Netted Iridium”), and (v) a monthly fee for active user-defined groups using Netted Iridium. Revenue related to these services was recognized ratably over the periods in which the services were provided, and the related costs were expensed as incurred.    After the exercise of all available optional contract extensions, the EMSS contract as signed in April 2008 expired in October of 2013.
Effective October 22, 2013, the Company executed a new five-year EMSS contract. Under the terms of this new agreement, authorized customers will continue to utilize airtime services, provided through the U.S. Department of Defense’s (“DoD”) dedicated gateway.  These services will include unlimited global secure and unsecure voice, low and high-speed data, paging, and Netted Iridium services for an unlimited number of DoD and other federal subscribers.  The fixed-price rates in each of the five contract years, which run from October 22 through the following October 21 of each year, are $64 million and $72 million in years one and two, respectively, and $88 million in each of the years three through five. Under this contract, revenue is driven from the fixed-price contract with unlimited subscribers, and is recognized on a straight-line basis over each contractual year.
The U.S. government purchases its subscriber equipment from third-party distributors and not directly from the Company.
Government engineering and support services
The Company provides maintenance services to the U.S. government’s dedicated gateway. This revenue is recognized ratably over the periods in which the services are provided; the related costs are expensed as incurred.
Other government and commercial engineering and support services
The Company also provides engineering services to assist customers in developing new technologies for use on the Company’s satellite system. The revenue associated with these services is recorded when the services are rendered, typically on a proportional performance method of accounting based on the Company’s estimate of total costs expected to complete the contract, and the related costs are expensed as incurred. Revenue on cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts is recognized to the extent of estimated costs incurred plus the applicable fees earned. The Company considers fixed fees under cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts to be earned in proportion to the allowable costs incurred in performance of the contract. The portion of revenue on research and development arrangements that is contingent upon the achievement of substantive milestone events is recognized in the period in which the milestone is achieved.
Warranty Expense
The Company provides the first end-user purchaser of its subscriber equipment a warranty for one to five years from the date of purchase by such first end-user, depending on the product. The Company maintains a warranty reserve based on historical experience of warranty costs and expected occurrences of warranty claims on equipment. Costs associated with warranties, including equipment replacements, repairs, freight, and program administration, are recorded as cost of subscriber equipment in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. The Company recorded an increase of $6.9 million for the warranty provision for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher warranty claims and other warranty-related initiatives for the Iridium Pilot® terminals. During 2012, the Company identified production deficiencies related to the Iridium Extreme satellite handset; a reserve for the remediation of these deficiencies contributed $1.2 million to the warranty provision during 2012.
Changes in the warranty reserve for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of the period		$	4,050	$	4,101
Provision			11,690		4,795
Utilization			-6,887		-4,846
Balance at end of the period		$	8,853	$	4,050
Research and Development
Research and development costs are charged to expense in the period in which they are incurred.
Advertising Costs
Costs associated with advertising and promotions are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses were $0.5 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, and $0.6 million for the year ended 2011.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, which requires the recognition of tax benefits or expenses for temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. The Company also recognizes a tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable based on its technical merits. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.
Net Income Per Share
The Company calculates basic net income per share by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share takes into account the effect of potential dilutive common shares when the effect is dilutive. The effect of potential dilutive common shares, including common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and stock purchase warrants, is computed using the treasury stock method. The effect of potential dilutive common shares from the conversion of the outstanding convertible preferred securities is computed using the as-if converted method at the stated conversion rate. The Company’s unvested RSUs contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and therefore are considered to be participating securities in periods of net income. The calculation of basic and diluted net income per share excludes net income attributable to the unvested RSUs from the numerator and excludes the impact of unvested RSUs from the denominator.

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_and_

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Text Block]	'
	3. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The following table summarizes the Company’s cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:
							Recurring Fair
		2013			2012		Value Measurement
		(in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash	$	86,074		$	166,326
	Money market funds		88,769			88,092	Level 1
	Commercial paper		11,499			-	Level 2
	Total Cash and cash equivalents	$	186,342		$	254,418
	Marketable Securities
	The following table summarizes the Company’s marketable securities as of December 31, 2013:
				Recurring Fair
		2013			Value Measurement
		(in thousands)
	Marketable securities:
	Fixed-income debt securities	$	57,032		Level 2
	Commercial paper		19,615		Level 2
	Total Marketable securities	$	76,647
	The Company did not have any marketable securities at December 31, 2012.
	As of December 31, 2013, all investments in fixed income securities with original maturities in excess of three months are included in marketable securities on the consolidated balance sheet. The following table presents the contractual maturities of the fixed income debt securities and commercial paper held as of December 31, 2013:
		Amortized			Gross Unrealized		Estimated
		Cost			Loss		Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Fixed-income debt securities:
	Mature within one year	$	3,004		$	-	$	3,004
	Mature after one year and within three years		54,044			-16		54,028
	Commercial paper:
	Mature within one year		19,615			-		19,615
	Total	$	76,663		$	-16	$	76,647
	The Company’s gross and net-of-tax unrealized loss on marketable securities for the year ended December 31, 2013 was approximately $16,000 and $10,000, respectively. The change in unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax, is included within comprehensive income on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Equity_Instruments

Equity Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	4. Equity Instruments
	$7.00 Warrants
	In connection with the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) in February 2008, the Company sold 40.0 million units at a price of $10.00 per unit. Each unit consisted of one share of common stock and one common stock purchase warrant (“$7.00 Warrant”). Each $7.00 Warrant entitled the holder to purchase from the Company one share of common stock at a price of $7.00 per share.
	During 2012, the Company issued 1.3 million shares of common stock resulting from the exercise of 1.3 million $7.00 Warrants. The Company received proceeds of $9.1 million as a result of these warrant exercises.
	During 2012, the Company entered into privately negotiated warrant exchange agreements with the largest holder of the outstanding $7.00 Warrants. Pursuant to these agreements, the Company issued 562,370 new shares of its common stock in exchange for 3,374,220 of the $7.00 Warrants (equivalent to approximately 0.1667 common shares for every $7.00 Warrant tendered), representing approximately 27% of the outstanding $7.00 Warrants.
	During 2012, the Company also initiated and completed a tender offer to exchange outstanding $7.00 Warrants for shares of its own common stock (the “2012 Tender Offer”). The Company offered holders of its $7.00 Warrants one share of common stock for every six of the $7.00 Warrants tendered (equivalent to approximately 0.1667 common shares for every $7.00 Warrant tendered). As a result of the 2012 Tender Offer, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,386,941 shares of its common stock in exchange for an aggregate of 8,321,433 of the $7.00 Warrants.
	In February 2013, all outstanding $7.00 Warrants expired in accordance with their terms.
	$11.50 Warrants
	On September 29, 2009, in connection with the acquisition of Iridium Holdings, holders of approximately 14.4 million $7.00 warrants exchanged their existing warrants for new warrants to purchase its common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share (the “$11.50 Warrants”).
	The Company may redeem each of the $11.50 Warrants at a price of $0.01 upon 30 days prior notice, provided that the warrants are exercisable and the registration statement covering the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants remains effective and available.  In addition, redemption can only be made if the closing price of the common stock is at least $18.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading-day period ending on the third day prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given. If the registration statement is not still effective at the time of exercise, the holders of the $11.50 Warrants will not be entitled to exercise the warrants, and in no event (whether in the case of a registration statement not being effective or otherwise) will the Company be required to net cash settle any such warrant exercise. Consequently, the $11.50 Warrants may expire unexercised and unredeemed. The number of shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of each $11.50 Warrant is subject to adjustment from time to time upon the occurrence of specified events. The $11.50 Warrants expire in February  2015.
	During 2011, the Company entered into several private transactions to exchange shares of its common stock for outstanding $11.50 Warrants. As a result of these transactions, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,643,453 shares of its common stock in exchange for an aggregate of 8,167,541 of the $11.50 Warrants.
	During 2011, the Company initiated and completed a tender offer to exchange outstanding $11.50 Warrants for shares of its common stock (the “2011 Tender Offer”). As a result of the 2011 Tender Offer, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,303,267 shares of its common stock in exchange for an aggregate of 5,923,963 of the $11.50 Warrants. As of December 31, 2013, 277,021 of the $11.50 Warrants remained outstanding.
	Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock
	The Company is authorized to issue 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. In 2012, the Company issued 1,000,000 shares of its 7.00% Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) in a private offering. The purchase price, equal to $96.85 per share, reflected an aggregate initial purchaser discount of $3.2 million. The Company received proceeds of $96.5 million from the sale of the Series A Preferred Stock net of the aggregate $3.5 million in initial purchaser discount and additional offering costs.
	Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 7.00% per annum of the $100 liquidation preference per share (equivalent to an annual rate of $7.00 per share). Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on each March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15. The Series A Preferred Stock does not have a stated maturity date and is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption provisions. The Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Company’s common stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding-up. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock generally have no voting rights except for limited voting rights if the Company fails to pay dividends for six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive) and in other specified circumstances. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock may convert some or all of their outstanding Series A Preferred Stock initially at a conversion rate of 10.6022 shares of common stock per $100 liquidation preference, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $9.43 per share of common stock (subject to adjustment in certain events). Except as otherwise provided, the Series A Preferred Stock is convertible only into shares of the Company’s common stock. In 2013 and 2012, the Company paid $7.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively, in cash dividends to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2013, holders of the Series A Preferred Stock have accrued $0.3 million in cash dividends which is included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. On February 24, 2014, the Company declared dividends of $1.75 million payable on March 17, 2014 to holders of the Series A Preferred Stock as of March 1, 2014.
	On or after October 3, 2017, the Company may, at its option, convert some or all of the Series A Preferred Stock into that number of shares of common stock that are issuable at the then-applicable conversion rate, subject to specified conditions. On or prior to October 3, 2017, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock will have a special right to convert some or all of the Series A Preferred Stock into shares of common stock in the event of fundamental changes described in the Certificate of Designations for the Series A Preferred Stock, subject to specified conditions and limitations. In certain circumstances, the Company may also elect to settle conversions in cash as a result of these fundamental changes.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	5. Debt
	Credit Facility
	On October 4, 2010, the Company entered into a $1.8 billion loan facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of bank lenders (the “Lenders”). Ninety-five percent of the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility are insured by Compagnie Française d’Assurance pour le Commerce Extérieur (“COFACE”), the French export credit agency. The Credit Facility is comprised of two tranches, with draws and repayments applied pro rata in respect of each tranche:
		•	Tranche A – $1,537,500,000 at a fixed rate of 4.96%; and
	•      Tranche B – $262,500,000 at a floating rate equal to the London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.95%.
	Interest is payable on a semi-annual basis in April and October of each year. Prior to the repayment period described below, a portion of interest will be paid via a deemed loan and added to the related tranche principal, and the remainder is payable in cash. The amount of interest paid via a deemed loan for each tranche is as follows:
		•	Tranche A – fixed rate of 3.56%; and
	•      Tranche B – LIBOR plus 0.55%.
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company incurred total interest of $39.6 million, $25.5 million and $11.9 million, respectively, of which $27.5 million, $17.8 million and $8.3 million, respectively, is payable via a deemed loan and the remainder is payable in cash on the scheduled semi-annual payment dates.
	In connection with each draw it makes under the Credit Facility, the Company also borrows an amount equal to 6.49% of such draw to cover the premium for the COFACE policy. The Company also pays a commitment fee of 0.80% per year, in semi-annual installments, on any undrawn portion of the Credit Facility.
	Funds drawn under the Credit Facility will be used for (i)  85% of the costs under a fixed price full scale development contract (the “FSD”) with Thales Alenia Space France (“Thales”) for the design and manufacture of satellites for Iridium NEXT (ii) the premium for the COFACE policy, and (iii) the payment of a portion of interest during a part of the construction and launch phase of Iridium NEXT.
	Scheduled semi-annual principal repayments will begin six months after the earlier of (i) the successful deployment of a specified number of Iridium NEXT satellites or (ii) September 30, 2017. During this repayment period, interest will be paid on the same date as the principal repayments. Interest expense incurred during the year ended December 31, 2013 was $39.6 million. All interest costs incurred related to the Credit Facility have been capitalized during the construction period of the assets; accordingly, the Company capitalized $39.6 million related to interest incurred throughout the year. The Company pays interest on each semi-annual due date through a combination of a cash payment and a deemed additional loan. The $39.6 million in interest incurred during the year ended December 31, 2013 consisted of $12.1 million payable in cash, of which $9.7 million was paid during the year and $2.4 million was accrued at year end, and $27.5 million payable by deemed loans, of which $22.0 million was paid during the year and $5.5 million was accrued at year end. Total interest payable associated with the Credit Facility was $8.0 million and $5.4 million and is included in interest payable in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company had borrowed a total of $1,039.2 million under the Credit Facility. The unused portion of the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2013 was $760.8 million. Under the terms of the Credit Facility, the Company is required to maintain a minimum cash reserve for debt service of $81.0 million as of December 31, 2013, which is classified as restricted cash on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. This minimum cash reserve requirement will increase over the term of the Credit Facility to $189.0 million at the beginning of the repayment period, which is expected to be in 2017. The Company recognized the semi-annual commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the Credit Facility of $7.7 million and $10.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The Credit Facility will mature seven years after the start of the repayment period. In addition, the Company is required to maintain minimum debt service reserve levels, which are estimated as follows:
	At December 31,		Amount
			(in millions)
	2014		$	108
	2015			135
	2016			162
	2017			189
	These levels may be higher once the Company begins repayment under the Credit Facility. Obligations under the Credit Facility are secured on a senior basis by a lien on substantially all of the Company’s assets. In addition to the minimum debt service levels, financial covenants under the Credit Facility include:
		·	an available cash balance of at least $25 million;
		·	a debt-to-equity ratio, which is calculated as the ratio of total net debt to the aggregate of total net debt and total stockholders’ equity, of no more than 0.7 to 1, measured each June 30 and December 31;
		·	specified maximum levels of annual capital expenditures (excluding expenditures on the construction of Iridium NEXT satellites) through the year ending December 31, 2024;
		·	specified minimum consolidated operational earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or operational EBITDA, levels for the 12-month periods ending each December 31 and June 30 through June 30, 2017;
		·	specified minimum cash flow requirements from customers who have hosted payloads on the Company’s satellites during the 12-month periods ending each December 31 and June 30, beginning December 31, 2014 and ending on June 30, 2017;
		·	a debt service coverage ratio, measured during the repayment period, of not less than 1 to 1.5; and
		·	specified maximum leverage levels during the repayment period that decline from a ratio of 4.75 to 1 for the twelve months ending June 30, 2017 to a ratio of 2.5 to 1 for the twelve months ending June 30, 2025.
	Available cash balance, as defined by the Credit Facility, was $204.0 million and $254.4 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company’s debt-to-equity ratio was 0.48 to 1 and 0.36 to 1 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company was also in compliance with the operational EBITDA and annual capital expenditure covenants set forth above as of December 31, 2013.
	The covenants regarding capital expenditures, operational EBITDA and hosted payload cash flows are calculated in connection with a measurement, which the Company refers to as available cure amount, that is derived using a complex calculation based on overall cash flows, as adjusted by numerous measures specified in the Credit Facility. In a period in which the Company’s capital expenditures exceed, or the Company’s operational EBITDA or hosted payload cash flows falls short of, the amount specified in the respective covenant, the Company would be permitted to allocate available cure amount, if any, to prevent a breach of the applicable covenant. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had available cure amount of $0.7 million, though it was not required to maintain compliance with the covenants.  The available cure amount, due to the complexity of its calculation, has fluctuated significantly from one measurement period to the next, and the Company expects that it will continue to do so.
	The covenants also place limitations on the Company’s ability and that of its subsidiaries to carry out mergers and acquisitions, dispose of assets, grant security interests, declare, make or pay dividends, enter into transactions with affiliates, fund payments under the FSD with Thales from its own resources, incur additional indebtedness, or make loans, guarantees or indemnities.  If the Company is not in compliance with the financial covenants under the Credit Facility, after any opportunity to cure such non-compliance, or the Company otherwise experiences an event of default under the Credit Facility, the lenders may require repayment in full of all principal and interest outstanding under the Credit Facility. It is unlikely the Company would have adequate funds to repay such amounts prior to the scheduled maturity of the Credit Facility. If the Company fails to repay such amounts, the lenders may foreclose on the assets the Company has pledged under the Credit Facility, which include substantially all of its assets and those of its domestic subsidiaries.
	In August 2012, the Company entered into a supplemental agreement (the “Supplemental Agreement”) with the lenders under the Credit Facility. The Supplemental Agreement amended and restated the Credit Facility. The Supplemental Agreement authorizes the Company to fund and operate Aireon LLC (“Aireon”) for the purpose of establishing a space-based automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (“ADS-B”) business for global aviation monitoring. Specifically, the Supplemental Agreement excludes Aireon from the group of companies (the Company and its material subsidiaries) that are obligors under the Credit Facility and from the Company’s consolidated financial results for purposes of calculating compliance with the financial covenants. The Supplemental Agreement allows the Company to make a $12.5 million investment in Aireon, all of which was contributed as of December 31, 2013. Additionally, the Supplemental Agreement allows the Company to make the injection of up to $10 million worth of airtime credits into Aireon, if needed, as provided for in the agreement between Aireon and Harris Corporation for the manufacture of the Aireon payload, and an additional investment of up to $15 million raised from issuances of the Company’s common equity. The Supplemental Agreement requires the Company to use any net distributions received from Aireon to repay the debt under the Credit Facility and to issue the lenders a security interest in the Company’s ownership interest in Aireon.
	The Supplemental Agreement also includes revised financial covenant levels to reflect changes in timing of expected receipts of cash flows from hosted payloads and other changing business conditions and revised launch and backup launch requirements. The amendment to the Credit Facility does not modify the principal amount, interest rates, repayment dates, or maturity of the Credit Facility. The Supplemental Agreement required the Company to raise $100 million through a combination of the issuance of convertible preferred or common equity and warrant exercises by April 30, 2013. The Company satisfied this requirement primarily through the sale of its Series A Preferred Stock. The Company also received $9.1 million from the exercise of warrants during 2012.
	While the Company believes that liquidity sources will provide sufficient funds for the Company to meet its liquidity requirements for at least the next twelve months, the Company expects to need modifications to the Credit Facility for some financial covenants with measurement dates beyond the next twelve months. In addition, developments in the business during the period covered by this report, including the recent slowdown in the Company’s handset business and higher projected warranty claims on the Iridium Pilot terminals and the related impact on our maritime revenues, have reduced the Company’s estimates for operational EBITDA for the twelve months ending June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014. Further, the Company now anticipates that payment of hosted payload fees from Aireon will be later than previously expected when the Company amended the Credit Facility in August 2012. To remove any uncertainty regarding covenant compliance while the Company negotiates the modifications to the Credit Facility, the Company requested and received a waiver from the Credit Facility lenders, providing the Company with additional headroom on the operational EBITDA covenant for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 and the twelve months ending June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014 and waiving the hosted payload cash flow covenant for the twelve months ending December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2013, including the applicable waiver, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants.

Boeing_Operations_and_Maintena

Boeing Operations and Maintenance Agreements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Boeing Operations And Maintenance Agreements [Abstract]	'
Operations And Maintenance Agreement [Text Block]	'
	6. Boeing Operations and Maintenance Agreements
	On July 21, 2010, the Company and Boeing entered into the O&M Agreement, pursuant to which Boeing agreed to provide transition services and continuing steady-state operations and maintenance services with respect to the satellite network operations center, telemetry, tracking and control stations and the on-orbit satellites (including engineering, systems analysis, and operations and maintenance services). Pursuant to the O&M Agreement, each of Boeing, Motorola Solutions and the U.S. government has the unilateral right to commence the de-orbit of the constellation upon the occurrence of certain enumerated events.
	The O&M Agreement incorporates a de-orbit plan, which, if exercised, would cost approximately $17.6 million plus an amount equivalent to the premium of the de-orbit insurance coverage to be paid to Boeing in the event of a mass de-orbit of the satellite constellation. On July 21, 2010, the Company and Boeing entered into an agreement pursuant to which Boeing will operate and maintain Iridium NEXT (the “NEXT Support Services Agreement”). Boeing will provide these services on a time-and-materials fee basis. The term of the NEXT Support Services Agreement runs concurrently with the estimated useful life of the Iridium NEXT constellation. The Company is entitled to terminate the agreement for convenience and without cause commencing in 2019.
	The Company incurred expenses of $30.1 million, $31.9 million, and $34.3 million relating to satellite operations and maintenance costs for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, included in cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	7. Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment consisted of the following at December 31:
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Satellite system	$	337,677	$	337,677
	Ground system		41,247		16,751
	Equipment		25,019		22,272
	Internally developed software and purchased software		68,141		56,750
	Building and leasehold improvements		28,063		28,070
			500,147		461,520
	Less: accumulated depreciation		-296,716		-240,186
			203,431		221,334
	Land		8,037		8,037
	Construction in process:
	Iridium NEXT systems under construction		1,341,148		972,908
	Other construction in process		22,963		8,414
	Total property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	$	1,575,579	$	1,210,693
	Other construction in process consisted of the following at December 31:
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Internally developed software	$	17,582	$	7,390
	Equipment		4,204		843
	Ground system		1,177		181
	Total other construction in process	$	22,963	$	8,414
	Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $62.0 million, $68.1 million, and $84.6 million, respectively.

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	8. Intangible Assets
	The Company has identifiable intangible assets as follows:
		December 31, 2013
		Useful		Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Lives		Carrying Value		Amortization		Carrying Value
		(In thousands)
	Indefinite life intangible assets:
	Trade names	Indefinite		$	21,195	$	-	$	21,195
	Spectrum and licenses	Indefinite			14,030		-		14,030
	Total				35,225		-		35,225
	Definite life intangible assets:
	Customer relationships - government	5 years			20,355		-17,301		3,054
	Customer relationships - commercial	5 years			33,052		-28,094		4,958
	Core developed technology	5 years			4,842		-4,116		726
	Intellectual property	16.5 years (1)			16,439		-3,253		13,186
	Software	5 years			2,025		-1,722		303
	Total				76,713		-54,486		22,227
	Total intangible assets			$	111,938	$	-54,486	$	57,452
		December 31, 2012
		Useful		Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Lives		Carrying Value		Amortization		Carrying Value
		(In thousands)
	Indefinite life intangible assets:
	Trade names	Indefinite		$	21,195	$	-	$	21,195
	Spectrum and licenses	Indefinite			14,030		-		14,030
	Total				35,225		-		35,225
	Definite life intangible assets:
	Customer relationships - government	5 years			20,355		-13,230		7,125
	Customer relationships - commercial	5 years			33,052		-21,484		11,568
	Core developed technology	5 years			4,842		-3,147		1,695
	Intellectual property	16.5 years (1)			16,439		-2,258		14,181
	Software	5 years			2,025		-1,317		708
	Total				76,713		-41,436		35,277
	Total intangible assets			$	111,938	$	-41,436	$	70,502
	(1)	Intellectual property is allocated over the estimated useful life of the existing satellite systems and Iridium NEXT, which averages to 16.5 years.
	The weighted average amortization period of intangible assets is 7.5 years. Amortization expense was $13.0 million for each of the three years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	Future amortization expense with respect to intangible assets existing at December 31, 2013, by year and in the aggregate, is as follows:
	Year ending December 31,	Amount
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	10,036
	2015		995
	2016		995
	2017		995
	2018		995
	Thereafter		8,211
	Total estimated future amortization expense	$	22,227

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	9. Commitments and Contingencies
	Thales
	In June 2010, the Company executed a primarily fixed-price FSD contract with Thales for the design and build of satellites for Iridium NEXT, the Company’s next-generation satellite constellation. The total price under the FSD is $2.3 billion, and the Company expects payment obligations under the FSD to extend into the fourth quarter of 2017. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had made aggregate payments of $1,091.6 million to Thales, including $927.1 million from borrowings under the Credit Facility, which are capitalized as construction in progress within property and equipment, net, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The Company’s obligations to Thales that are currently scheduled for the years ending December 31, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, are in the amounts of $458.8 million, $344.1 million, $200.0 million and $166.7 million, respectively.
	SpaceX
	In March 2010, the Company entered into an agreement with Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (“SpaceX”) to secure SpaceX as the primary launch services provider for Iridium NEXT (the “SpaceX Agreement”). In August 2012, the Company entered into an amendment to the SpaceX Agreement (the “SpaceX Amendment”). The SpaceX Amendment reduced the number of contracted launches and increased the number of satellites to be carried on each launch vehicle. The maximum price under the SpaceX Amendment is $453.1 million. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had made aggregate payments of $69.7 million to SpaceX, which were capitalized as construction in progress within property and equipment, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The Company's obligations to SpaceX under the SpaceX Amendment for the years ending December 31, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are in the amounts of $83.5 million, $169.1 million, $109.0 million and $21.8 million, respectively.
	Kosmotras
	In June 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with International Space Company Kosmotras (“Kosmotras”) as a supplemental launch service provider for Iridium NEXT (the “Kosmotras Agreement”), which the Company subsequently amended three times. The Kosmotras Agreement, as amended, provides for the purchase of up to six dedicated launches, for a total of approximately $184.3 million, and six additional launch options. Each launch can carry two satellites. In June 2013, the Company exercised an option for one dedicated launch to carry the first two Iridium NEXT satellites.  The total cost under the contract for this single launch will be $51.8 million. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had made aggregate payments of $18.3 million to Kosmotras, which were capitalized as construction in progress within property and equipment, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The option to purchase three dedicated launches expired as of December 31, 2013; the option to purchase the remaining two dedicated launches expires March 31, 2014. The Company’s obligations to Kosmotras for the single launch purchased under the Kosmotras Agreement for the years ending December 31, 2014 and 2015 are $25.3 million and $8.2 million, respectively.
	Supplier Purchase Commitments
	The Company has a manufacturing agreement with two suppliers to manufacture subscriber equipment, one of which contains minimum monthly purchase requirements. The Company’s purchases have exceeded the monthly minimum requirement since inception. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company may be required to purchase certain materials if the materials are not used in production within the periods specified in the agreement. The supplier will then repurchase such materials from the Company at the same price paid by the Company, as required for the production of the devices. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had $2.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively, of such materials and the amounts were included in inventory on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	Unconditional purchase obligations are $147.8 million, which include the Company’s commitments with Boeing on the existing satellite system, an agreement with a supplier for the manufacturing of the Company’s devices and various commitments with other vendors. Unconditional purchase obligations scheduled for the years ending December 31, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 are in the amounts of $55.3 million, $36.5 million, $37.1 million, and $18.9 million, respectively.
	In-Orbit Insurance
	Due to various contractual requirements, the Company is required to maintain a third-party in-orbit insurance policy with a de-orbiting endorsement to cover potential claims relating to operating or de-orbiting the satellite constellation. The policy covers the Company, Boeing as operator, Motorola Solutions (the original system architect and prior owner), contractors and subcontractors of the insured, the U.S. government and certain other sovereign nations.
	The current policy has a renewable one-year term, which is scheduled to expire on December 8, 2014. The policy coverage is separated into Sections A, B, and C.
	Section A coverage is currently in effect and covers product liability over Motorola’s position as manufacturer of the satellites. Liability limits for claims under Section A are $1.0 billion per occurrence and in the aggregate. There is no deductible for claims.
	Section B coverage is currently in effect and covers risks in connection with in-orbit satellites. Liability limits for claims under Section B are $500 million per occurrence and in the aggregate for space vehicle liability and $500 million and $1.0 billion per occurrence and in the aggregate, respectively, with respect to de-orbiting. The balance of the unamortized premium payment for Sections A and B coverage as of December 31, 2013 is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The deductible for claims under Section B is $250,000 per occurrence.
	Section C coverage is effective once requested by the Company (the “Attachment Date”) and covers risks in connection with a decommissioning of the satellite system. Liability limits for claims under Section C are $500 million and $1.0 billion per occurrence and in the aggregate, respectively. The term of the coverage under Section C is 12 months from the Attachment Date. The premium for Section C coverage is $2.5 million and is payable on or before the Attachment Date. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had not requested Section C coverage since no decommissioning activities are currently anticipated. The deductible for claims under Section C is $250,000 per occurrence.
	Operating Leases
	The Company leases land, office space, and office and computer equipment under noncancelable operating lease agreements. Most of the leases contain renewal options of 1 to 10 years. The Company’s obligations under the current terms of these leases extend through 2024.
	Additionally, several of the Company’s leases contain clauses for rent escalation including, but not limited to, a pro-rata share of increased operating and real estate tax expenses. Rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company leases facilities located in Chandler, Arizona; Tempe, Arizona; McLean, Virginia; Canada; Russia; and Norway. Future minimum lease payments, by year and in the aggregate, under noncancelable operating leases at December 31, 2013, are as follows:
		Operating
	Year ending December 31,	Leases
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	2,702
	2015		2,867
	2016		2,291
	2017		2,239
	2018		2,302
	Thereafter		7,402
	Total	$	19,803
	Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $3.2 million, $3.2 million, and $3.0 million, respectively.
	Contingencies
	From time to time, in the normal course of business, the Company is party to various pending claims and lawsuits. The Company is not aware of any such actions that it would expect to have a material adverse impact on its business, financial results or financial condition.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs, Share-Based Payments [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	'
	10. Stock-Based Compensation
	During 2012, the Company’s stockholders approved a stock incentive plan (the “2012 Stock Incentive Plan”) to provide stock-based awards, including nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock and other equity securities, as incentives and rewards for employees, consultants and non-employee directors. As of December 31, 2013, 13,416,019 shares of common stock were authorized for issuance as awards under the 2012 Stock Incentive Plan.
	Stock Option Awards
	The stock option awards granted to employees generally (i) have a term of ten years, (ii) vest over a four-year period with 25% vesting after the first year of service and ratably on a quarterly basis thereafter, (iii) are contingent upon employment on the vesting date, and (iv) have an exercise price equal to the fair value of the underlying shares at the date of grant. The stock option awards granted to the Company’s board of directors generally (i) represent a portion of their annual compensation, (ii) have a term of ten years, (iii) vest over the calendar year with 25% vesting on the last day of each calendar quarter, (iv) are contingent upon continued service on the vesting date, and (v) have an exercise price equal to the fair value of the underlying shares at the date of grant. The fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatility for options granted was based on the actual historical volatility of the Company’s stock price. The expected term of the award was calculated using the simplified method as the Company currently does not have sufficient experience of its own option exercise patterns. The Company does not anticipate paying dividends during the expected term of the grants; therefore, the dividend rate was assumed to be zero. The risk-free interest rate assumed is based upon U.S. Treasury Bond interest rates with similar terms at similar dates. To the extent the Company’s actual forfeiture rate is different from its estimate of forfeitures, the stock-based compensation may differ in future periods.
	The stock options granted to consultants are generally subject to service vesting and vest quarterly over a two-year service period. The fair value of the consultant options is the then-current fair value attributable to the vesting portions of the awards, calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
	Assumptions used in determining the fair value of the Company’s options were as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Expected volatility	41% - 42%		42% - 45%		40% - 45%
	Expected term (years)	3.00 - 6.25		5.50 - 6.25		5.50 - 6.25
	Expected dividends	0%		0%		0%
	Risk free interest rate	0.58% - 1.93%		0.78% - 1.17%		1.16% - 2.65%
	During 2013, the Company granted approximately 1.2 million and less than 0.1 million stock options to its employees and non-employee consultants, respectively. The estimated aggregate grant-date fair values of the stock options granted to employees and non-employee consultants during 2013 was $3.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
	Certain members of the Company’s board of directors elected to receive a portion of their 2013 annual compensation in the form of stock options. During 2013, the Company granted approximately 0.1 million stock options to its directors as a result of these elections. These options were granted in January 2013 and vested through the end of 2013, with 25% vesting on the last day of each calendar quarter. The estimated aggregate grant-date fair value of the options granted to directors during 2013 was $0.2 million.
	A summary of the activity of the Company’s stock options as of December 31, 2013 is as follows:
					Weighted-
			Weighted-		Average
			Average		Remaining		Aggregate
			Exercise Price		Contractual		Intrinsic
		Shares	Per Share		Term (Years)		Value
		(In thousands, except years and per share data)
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2013	5,431	$	8.3
	Granted	1,339	$	6.31
	Cancelled or expired	-340	$	8.62
	Exercised	-4	$	6.54
	Forfeited	-243	$	7.31
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2013	6,183	$	7.89	7.05		$	140
	Options vested and exercisable at December 31, 2013	3,918	$	8.36	6.24		$	-
	Options exercisable and expected to vest at December	6,142	$	7.9	7.04		$	136
	31, 2013
	The Company recognized $6.0 million, $6.0 million, and $5.6 million of stock-based compensation expense related to these options in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $2.60, $3.31, and $3.69 per share, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2013, the total unrecognized cost related to non-vested options was approximately $5.7 million. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.4 years. The total fair value of the shares vested during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $6.3 million, $6.7 million, and $4.6 million, respectively.
	Restricted Stock Unit Awards
	In 2013, the Company granted approximately 0.5 million service-based RSUs and 0.2 million performance-based RSUs to its employees. Employee service-based RSUs generally vest over a four-year service period, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remainder vesting ratably on a quarterly basis thereafter. Employee performance-based RSUs were awarded to the Company’s executives. Vesting of the performance-based RSUs is dependent upon the Company’s achievement of certain performance goals over a two-year measurement period. The number of performance-based RSUs that will ultimately vest may range from 0% to 150% of the original grant based on the level of achievement of the performance goals. Provided that the Company achieves the performance goals, 50% of the RSUs will vest after two years and the remaining 50% after the third year. The Company records stock-based compensation expense related to performance-based RSUs when it is considered probable that the performance conditions will be met. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company analyzed the performance targets associated with the performance-based RSUs granted in both 2012 and 2013.  Based on this analysis, the Company determined that achievement of the performance targets was no longer probable and accordingly reversed the $1.3 million of previously recorded stock-based compensation expense associated with the performance RSUs. The estimated aggregate grant-date fair values of the service-based RSUs and performance-based RSUs granted to employees during 2013 were $3.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
	Certain members of the Company’s board of directors elected to receive a portion of their 2013 annual compensation in the form of RSUs. During 2013, the Company granted approximately 0.1 million RSUs to its directors as a result of these elections. These RSUs were granted in January 2013 and vested through the end of 2013, with 25% vesting on the last day of each calendar quarter. The estimated aggregate grant-date fair value of the RSUs granted to directors during 2013 was $0.8 million.
	A summary of the Company’s activity for the year ended December 31, 2013 for outstanding RSUs is as follows:
			Weighted-
			Average
			Grant Date
			Fair Value
		RSUs	Per RSU
		(In thousands)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013	1,007	$	7.6
	Granted	863	$	6.18
	Forfeited	-310	$	7.25
	Released	-254	$	7.56
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,306	$	6.76
	Vested at December 31, 2013	346
	A summary of the Company’s activity for the year ended December 31, 2013 for unvested RSUs is as follows:
			Weighted-
			Average
			Grant Date
			Fair Value
		RSUs	Per RSU
		(In thousands)
	Non-vested at January 1, 2013	740	$	7.56
	Granted	863	$	6.18
	Vested	-333	$	7.34
	Forfeited	-310	$	7.25
	Non-vested at December 31, 2013	960	$	6.5
	The Company recognized $1.7 million, $2.1 million, and $0.7 million of stock-based compensation expense related to these RSUs in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.

Segments_Significant_Customers

Segments, Significant Customers, Supplier and Service Providers and Geographic Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	11. Segments, Significant Customers, Supplier and Service Providers and Geographic Information
	The Company operates in one business segment, providing global satellite communications services and products.
	The Company derived approximately 19%, 20%, and 23% of its total revenue in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and approximately 34% and 25% of its accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, from prime contracts or subcontracts with agencies of the U.S. government. The two largest commercial customers accounted for approximately 16%, 20%, and 21% of the Company’s total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and represented approximately 15% and 13% of the Company’s total accounts receivable balance as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Another single large commercial customer represented approximately 15% and 13% of the Company’s receivable balance at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The Company contracts for the manufacture of its subscriber equipment primarily from two manufacturers and utilizes other sole source suppliers for certain component parts of its devices. Should events or circumstances prevent the manufacturers or the suppliers from producing the equipment or component parts, the Company’s business could be adversely affected until the Company is able to move production to other facilities of the manufacturer or secure a replacement manufacturer or an alternative supplier for such component parts.
	A significant portion of the Company’s satellite operations and maintenance service is provided by Boeing. Should events or circumstances prevent Boeing from providing these services, the Company’s business could be adversely affected until the Company is able to assume operations and maintenance responsibilities or secure a replacement service provider.
	Net property and equipment by geographic area was as follows as of December 31:
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	United States	$	118,011	$	94,017
	Satellites in orbit		96,231		137,720
	Iridium NEXT systems under construction		1,341,148		972,908
	All others (1)		20,189		6,048
	Total	$	1,575,579	$	1,210,693
	(1)             No one other country represented more than 10% of property and equipment, net.
	Revenue by geographic area was as follows for the years ended December 31:
		2013		2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	United States	$	175,054	$	178,145	$	176,043
	Canada		49,541		53,279		52,419
	United Kingdom		37,421		42,706		48,886
	Other countries (1)		120,633		109,390		106,959
	Total	$	382,649	$	383,520	$	384,307
	(1)                 No one other country represented more than 10% of revenue.
	Revenue is attributed to geographic area based on the billing address of the distributor. Service location and the billing address are often not the same. The Company’s distributors sell services directly or indirectly to end users, who may be located or use the Company’s products and services elsewhere. The Company cannot provide the geographical distribution of end users because it does not contract directly with them. The Company does not have significant foreign exchange risk on sales, as invoices are generally denominated in U.S. dollars.

Employee_Benefit_Plan

Employee Benefit Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]	'
	12. Employee Benefit Plan
	The Company sponsors a defined-contribution 401(k) retirement plan (the “Plan”) that covers all employees. Employees are eligible to participate in the Plan on the first day of the month following the date of hire, and participants are 100% vested from the date of eligibility. The Company matches employees’ contributions equal to 100% of the salary deferral contributions up to 5% of the employees’ compensation. Company-matching contributions to the Plan were $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The Company pays all administrative fees related to the Plan.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	13. Income Taxes
	U.S. and foreign components of income before income taxes are presented below:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
		(In thousands)
	U.S. income	$	111,685	$	94,719	$	65,272
	Foreign income (loss)		-1,220		299		309
	Total income before income taxes	$	110,465	$	95,018	$	65,581
	The components of the Company’s income tax provision are as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
		(In thousands)
	Current taxes:
	Federal provision (benefit)	$	-12	$	-47	$	82
	State provision		7		96		816
	Foreign provision		723		849		567
	Total current tax provision		718		898		1,465
	Deferred taxes:
	Federal provision		39,041		30,014		21,089
	State provision (benefit)		8,240		-610		1,995
	Foreign provision (benefit)		-51		85		-3
	Total deferred tax provision		47,230		29,489		23,081
	Total income tax provision	$	47,948	$	30,387	$	24,546
	In 2011 and 2012, Arizona enacted tax law changes resulting in a benefit to the Company’s net deferred tax expense.  Due to the size and nature of the Company’s operations in Arizona, such changes have a significant impact on the tax provision in a given period.  As a result of these law changes, the Company’s deferred tax expense was reduced by approximately $4.0 million, $9.5 million and $3.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory income tax expense to the Company’s effective income tax provision is as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
		(In thousands)
	U.S. federal statutory tax rate	$	38,668	$	33,256	$	22,955
	State taxes, net of federal benefit		9,048		3,837		2,561
	State tax valuation allowance		3,151		1,943		-
	Arizona tax law change		-3,975		-9,524		-3,126
	Other nondeductible expenses		1,185		414		854
	Liability for uncertain tax positions		-146		-45		704
	Tax credits and other adjustments		-849		223		784
	Foreign taxes and other items		866		283		-186
	Total income tax provision	$	47,948	$	30,387	$	24,546
	The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
		As of December 31,
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Deferred tax assets
	Long-term contracts	$	33,988	$	22,894
	Deferred revenue		4,086		6,212
	Federal, state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards		133,190		122,948
	and tax credits
	Other		21,571		19,551
	Total deferred tax assets		192,835		171,605
	Valuation allowance		-6,567		-2,200
	Net deferred tax assets	$	186,268	$	169,405
	Deferred tax liabilities
	Fixed assets and intangibles	$	-58,220	$	-58,930
	Research and development expenditures		-318,340		-254,312
	Other		-3,457		-2,824
	Total deferred tax liabilities	$	-380,017	$	-316,066
	Net deferred income tax liabilities	$	-193,749	$	-146,661
	The Company recognizes valuation allowances to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In assessing the likelihood of realization, management considers: (i) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences; (ii) future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards; (iii) taxable income in prior carryback year(s) if carryback is permitted under applicable tax law; and (iv) tax planning strategies.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company had deferred tax assets related to cumulative U.S. and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $333.5 million. These net operating loss carryforwards, if unutilized, will expire in various amounts from 2015 through 2033. The Company believes that the U.S. federal net operating losses will be utilized before the expiration dates and as such no valuation allowance has been established for these deferred tax assets. The Company does not expect to fully utilize all of its state net operating losses within the respective carryforward periods. As such, the Company has increased its state net operating loss valuation allowance by $3.1  million for the year ended December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had deferred tax assets related to the foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $0.7 million in various jurisdictions that begin to expire in 2016.  The Company also does not expect to fully utilize its foreign net operating losses within the respective carryforward periods.  As such, the Company has increased its foreign net operating loss valuation allowance by $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The timing and manner in which the Company will utilize the net operating loss carryforwards in any year, or in total, may be limited in the future as a result of alternative minimum taxes, changes in the Company’s ownership and any limitations imposed by the jurisdictions in which the Company operates.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company had approximately $3.2 million of deferred tax assets related to research and development tax credits that expire in various amounts from 2028 through 2033, $1.7 million of foreign tax credits which expire in various amounts from 2020 through 2023, and $1.3 million of deferred tax assets related to Alternative Minimum Tax credits which do not expire. The Company believes that the research and development credits will be fully utilized within the carryforward period. However, the Company does not expect to utilize all of its foreign tax credits within the respective carryforward periods. As such, the Company has increased its valuation allowance by $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	The Company has provided for U.S. income taxes on all undistributed earnings of its significant foreign subsidiaries since the Company does not indefinitely reinvest these undistributed earnings. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company recognizes the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	Uncertain Income Tax Positions
	The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating tax positions and determining the provision for income taxes. The Company establishes liabilities for tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes may be due. These liabilities are established when the Company believes that certain positions might be challenged despite its belief that its tax return positions are fully supportable. The Company adjusts these liabilities in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the outcome of a tax audit. The provision for income taxes includes the impact of changes to these liabilities.
	The amount of uncertain tax positions if recognized at December 31, 2013 was $1.3 million, as compared to $1.4 million at December 31, 2012. It is reasonably possible that $0.4 million of the unrecognized tax benefit reflected at December 31, 2013 may reverse in the next 12 months as the Company reassesses its filing positions in various foreign jurisdictions. Any changes are not anticipated to have significant impact on the results of operations, financial position or cash flows of the Company. All of the Company’s uncertain tax positions, if recognized, would affect its income tax expense.
The Company has elected an accounting policy to classify interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, potential interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits were not significant.
The Company is subject to tax audits in all jurisdictions for which it files tax returns. Tax audits by their very nature are often complex and can require several years to complete.   Currently, there are no U.S. federal, state or foreign jurisdiction tax audits pending.   The Company’s corporate U.S. federal and state tax returns from 2009 to 2012 remain subject to examination by tax authorities and the Company’s foreign tax returns from 2007 to 2012 remain subject to examination by tax authorities.
The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits which includes related interest and penalties:
	2013		2012
	(In thousands)
Balance at January 1,	$	1,405	$	1,450
Change attributable to tax positions taken in a prior period		54		38
Change attributable to tax positions taken in the current period		7		7
Decrease attributable to lapse of statute of limitations		-207		-90
Balance at December 31,	$	1,259	$	1,405

Net_Income_Per_Share

Net Income Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	14. Net Income Per Share
	The computations of basic and diluted net income per share are set forth below:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	55,517	$	62,939	$	41,035
	Net income allocated to participating securities		-46		-54		-29
	Numerator for basic net income per share		55,471		62,885		41,006
	Dividends on Series A Preferred Stock		7,000		1,692		-
	Numerator for diluted net income per share	$	62,471	$	64,577	$	41,006
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic net income per share -		76,909		74,239		72,164
	weighted average outstanding common shares
	Dilutive effect of warrants		-		1,272		1,395
	Dilutive effect of stock options		-		6		-
	Dilutive effect of Series A Preferred Stock		10,602		2,665		-
	Denominator for diluted net income per share		87,511		78,182		73,559
	Net income per share - basic	$	0.72	$	0.85	$	0.57
	Net income per share - diluted	$	0.71	$	0.83	$	0.56
	For the year ended December 31, 2013, warrants to purchase 0.4 million shares of common stock and options to purchase 5.2 million shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted net income per share as the effect would be anti-dilutive. Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2013, 0.9 million unvested RSUs were excluded from the computation of basic and diluted net income per share. After December 31, 2013, the Company granted approximately 0.4 million stock options and 0.2 million RSUs to employees and members of the Company’s board of directors. These grants could have dilutive effects on net income per share in future periods.
	For the year ended December 31, 2012, warrants to purchase 0.3 million shares of common stock, options to purchase 4.3 million shares of common stock and 0.5 million unvested RSUs were not included in the computation of diluted net income per share as the effect would be anti-dilutive.
	For the year ended   December 31, 2011, warrants to purchase 5.8 million shares of common stock and options to purchase 4.6 million shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted net income per share as the effect would be anti-dilutive.

Selected_Quarterly_Information

Selected Quarterly Information (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	'
	15. Selected Quarterly Information (Unaudited)
	The following represents the Company’s unaudited quarterly results for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
		Quarter Ended
		March 31,		June 30,		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2013		2013		2013
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Revenue	$	89,189	$	94,684	$	100,569	$	98,207
	Operating income	$	25,338	$	28,848	$	29,451	$	26,257
	Net income	$	14,934	$	15,413	$	16,585	$	15,585
	Net income per common share - basic	$	0.17	$	0.18	$	0.19	$	0.18
	Net income per common share -diluted	$	0.17	$	0.18	$	0.19	$	0.18
		Quarter Ended
		March 31,		June 30,		September 30,		December 31,
		2012		2012		2012		2012
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Revenue	$	93,474	$	97,321	$	100,441	$	92,284
	Operating income	$	14,088	$	28,274	$	31,688	$	31,024
	Net income	$	12,418	$	17,663	$	17,839	$	16,711
	Net income per common share - basic	$	0.17	$	0.24	$	0.24	$	0.2
	Net income per common share -diluted	$	0.16	$	0.23	$	0.23	$	0.19
	The sum of the per share amounts does not equal the annual amounts due to changes in the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
	The Company has prepared the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of (i) the Company, (ii) its wholly owned subsidiaries, and (iii) all less than wholly owned subsidiaries that the Company controls. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated and net income not attributable to the Company (when material) has been allocated to noncontrolling interests.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	The Company evaluates assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements on a recurring and non-recurring basis to determine the appropriate level to classify them for each reporting period. This determination requires significant judgments to be made by management of the Company. The instruments identified as subject to fair value measurements on a recurring basis are cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, prepaid expenses, deposits and other current assets, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Fair value is the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability assuming an orderly transaction in the most advantageous market at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework which prioritizes and ranks the level of observability of inputs used in measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following tiers:
		•	Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
		•	Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and
		•	Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the carrying values of short-term financial instruments (primarily cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses, deposits and other current assets, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities and other obligations) approximate their fair values because of their short-term nature. The fair value of the Company’s investments in money market funds approximates their carrying value; such instruments are classified as Level 1 and are included in cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The fair value of the Company’s investments in commercial paper and short-term U.S. agency securities with original maturities of less than ninety days approximates their carrying value; such instruments are classified as Level 2 and are included in cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheet.
	The fair value of the Company’s investments in fixed-income debt securities and commercial paper with original maturities of greater than ninety days are obtained using similar investments traded on active securities exchanges and are classified as Level 2.
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Concentrations of Credit Risk
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and receivables. The majority of cash is swept nightly into a money market fund invested in U.S. treasuries, Agency Mortgage Backed Securities and/or U.S. Government guaranteed debt. While the Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions with high credit ratings, it often maintains those deposits in federally insured financial institutions in excess of federally insured (FDIC) limits. The Company’s marketable securities are highly-rated corporate and foreign fixed-income debt securities and commercial paper with an original maturity in excess of ninety days. The Company performs credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and records reserves to provide for estimated credit losses. Accounts receivable are due from both domestic and international customers.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of ninety days or less to be cash equivalents. The cash and cash equivalents balance as of December 31, 2012 consisted of cash deposited in money market funds and regular interest bearing and non-interest bearing depository accounts. In 2013, the Company made investments in commercial paper and government-issued debt securities with original maturities within ninety days of purchase. These investments, along with cash deposited in money market funds, regular interest bearing and non-interest bearing depository accounts, are classified as cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2013 on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company is required to maintain a minimum cash reserve for debt service related to its $1.8 billion loan facility (the “Credit Facility”). As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s restricted cash balance, which includes a minimum cash reserve for debt service related to the Credit Facility and the interest earned on these amounts, was $81.2 million and $54.2 million, respectively.
Marketable Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Marketable Securities
	Marketable securities consist of corporate and foreign fixed-income debt securities and commercial paper with an original maturity in excess of ninety days. These investments are classified as available-for-sale and are included in current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. All investments are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, are reported as a component of other comprehensive income or loss. The specific identification method is used to determine the cost basis of the marketable securities sold. There were no material realized gains or losses on the sale of marketable securities for the year ended December 31, 2013. The Company regularly monitors and evaluates the fair value of its investments to identify other-than-temporary declines in value. The Company determined that no other-than-temporary declines in value existed at December 31, 2013. The Company did not have any marketable securities at December 31, 2012.
Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Accounts Receivable
	Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and are subject to late fee penalties. Management develops its estimate of an allowance for uncollectible receivables based on the Company’s experience with specific customers, aging of outstanding invoices, its understanding of customers’ current economic circumstances and its own judgment as to the likelihood that the Company will ultimately receive payment. The Company writes off its accounts receivable when balances ultimately are deemed uncollectible. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.5 million and $1.1 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Foreign Currencies
	The functional currency of the Company’s foreign consolidated subsidiaries is their local currency. Assets and liabilities of its foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars based on exchange rates at the end of the reporting period. Income and expense items are translated at the weighted average exchange rates prevailing during the reporting period. Translation adjustments are accumulated in a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Transaction gains or losses are classified as other income (expense), net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
Internal Use Software, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Internally Developed Software
	The Company capitalizes the costs of acquiring, developing and testing software to meet its internal needs. Capitalization of costs associated with software obtained or developed for internal use commences when the preliminary project stage is complete and it is probable that the project will be completed and used to perform the function intended. Capitalized costs include only (i) external direct cost of materials and services consumed in developing or obtaining internal-use software and (ii) payroll and payroll-related costs for employees who are directly associated with, and devote time to, the internal-use software project. Capitalization of such costs ceases no later than the point at which the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Internal use software costs are amortized once the software is placed in service using the straight-line method over periods ranging from three to seven years.
Deferred Charges, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Deferred Financing Costs
	Direct and incremental costs incurred in connection with securing debt financing are deferred and are amortized as additional interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the related debt.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had deferred approximately $130.0 million and $123.8 million, respectively, of direct and incremental financing costs associated with securing debt financing for Iridium NEXT, the Company’s next-generation satellite constellation.
Interest Capitalization, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Capitalized Interest
	Interest costs associated with financing the Company’s assets during the construction period of Iridium NEXT have been capitalized. Capitalized interest and interest expense were as follows:
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011
			(In thousands)
	Capitalized interest		$	52,136	$	29,305	$	12,825
	Interest expense			583		114		42
	Total interest		$	52,719	$	29,419	$	12,867
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Inventory
	Inventory consists primarily of finished goods, although the Company at times also maintains an inventory of raw materials from third-party manufacturers. The Company outsources manufacturing of subscriber equipment to third-party manufacturers and purchases accessories from third-party suppliers. The Company’s cost of inventory includes an allocation of overhead (including payroll and payroll-related costs of employees directly involved in bringing inventory to its existing condition, and freight). Inventories are valued using the average cost method and are carried at the lower of cost or market. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $1.5 million expense included within cost of subscriber equipment for excess and obsolete inventory primarily related to Iridium 9505 handset accessories. No similar charge was incurred during 2012.
	The Company has manufacturing agreements with two suppliers to manufacture subscriber equipment, one of which contains minimum monthly purchase requirements. The Company’s purchases have exceeded the monthly minimum requirements since inception. Pursuant to an agreement with the suppliers, the Company may be required to purchase excess materials if the materials are not used in production within the periods specified in the agreement. The suppliers will then repurchase such materials from the Company at the same price paid by the Company, as required for the production of the subscriber equipment.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company accounts for stock-based compensation at fair value. The fair value of stock options is determined at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is equal to the closing price of the underlying common stock on the grant date. The fair value of an award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service or performance period and is classified in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income in a manner consistent with the classification of the recipient’s compensation. Stock-based awards to non-employee consultants are expensed at their fair value as services are provided according to the terms of their agreements and are classified in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Classification of stock-based compensation for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
			2013		2012
			(In thousands)
	Property and equipment, net		$	991	$	760
	Inventory			43		60
	Cost of subscriber equipment			32		157
	Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)			550		608
	Research and development			132		209
	Selling, general and administrative			6,001		6,356
	Total stock-based compensation		$	7,749	$	8,150
Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization [Policy Text Block]	'
	Depreciation Expense
	The Company calculates depreciation expense using the straight-line method and evaluates the appropriateness of the useful life used in this calculation on a quarterly basis. During 2012, the Company updated its analysis of the current satellite constellation’s health and remaining useful life. Based on the results of this analysis, the Company estimates that its current constellation of satellites will be operational for longer than previously expected. As a result, the estimated useful life of the current constellation has been extended and is also consistent with the expected deployment of Iridium NEXT. This change in estimated useful life resulted in a decrease in depreciation expense compared to the prior year. The change in accounting estimate reduced depreciation expense in 2012 by $19.6 million. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the reduction in depreciation expense increased basic and diluted net income per share by $0.17 and $0.16, respectively.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
	Satellites	estimated useful life
	Ground system	5-7 years
	Equipment	3-5 years
	Internally developed software and purchased software	3-7 years
	Building	39 years
	Building improvements	estimated useful life
	Leasehold improvements	shorter of useful life or remaining lease term
	The estimated useful lives of the Company’s satellites are the remaining period of expected use for each satellite. Satellites are depreciated on a straight-line basis through the earlier of the estimated remaining useful life or the date they are expected to be replaced by Iridium NEXT satellites. Based on the current launch schedule, the Company expects Iridium NEXT satellites to begin deployment in 2015, with the final launch expected to occur by mid-2017.
	Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Long-Lived Assets
	The Company assesses its long-lived assets for impairment when indicators of impairment exist. Recoverability of assets is measured by comparing the carrying amounts of the assets to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. Any impairment loss would be measured as the excess of the assets’ carrying amount over their fair value.
	During the period covered by this report, the Company lost communication with two of its in-orbit satellites, one in 2012 and one in 2011. As a result, impairment charges of $2.0 million and $3.0 million were recorded within depreciation expense during 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company had in-orbit spare satellites available to replace the lost satellites. No similar satellite loss occurred during 2013. However, the Company lost communication with an in-orbit satellite during January 2014 and, as a result, an impairment charge of $0.9 million will be recorded within depreciation expense during the first quarter of 2014. The Company does not believe the loss of this satellite in 2014 is an indicator of impairment of the individual satellite or the constellation as of December 31, 2013.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill
	Goodwill is the excess of the acquisition cost of businesses over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Impairment testing for goodwill is performed during the fourth quarter of each annual period or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist. Goodwill impairment is determined using a two-step process.  The first step involves a comparison of the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill.  If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired and the second step of the impairment test is not necessary.  If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, then the second step of the goodwill impairment test must be performed.  To measure the amount of impairment loss, if any, the implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. Specifically, the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
	The Company operates in a single reporting unit and the possibility of impairment is assessed by comparing the carrying amount of the reporting unit to its estimated fair value.  The Company determines the estimated fair value of the reporting unit based on a combination of the market approach using comparable public companies (guideline company method) and the income approach using discounted cash flows. These valuation techniques involve the use of estimates and assumptions.
	The most recent annual assessment of goodwill and indefinite-lived assets was performed on October 1, 2013 (the “2013 Analysis”).  The key assumptions used in the 2013 Analysis included: (i) cash flow projections through 2025, which include assumptions relative to forecasted service revenue, equipment revenue, engineering and support service revenue, hosted payload revenue, operating expenses and Iridium NEXT capital expenditures; (ii) a discount rate of 10.0% applied to the cash flow projections, which was based on the weighted average cost of capital adjusted for the risks associated for the business; (iii) selection of comparable companies used in the market approach; (iv) assumptions in weighting the results of the income approach and the market approach valuation techniques; and (v) expected distributions from Aireon. Based on the results of the first step of the 2013 Analysis, the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying value.  As such, the second step of the goodwill impairment test was not required and no impairment charge was recorded during the period.  In future periods, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions, we may be exposed to impairment losses that could be material to our results of operations.
	Intangible Assets Not Subject to Amortization
	A portion of the Company’s intangible assets are spectrum, regulatory authorizations, and trade names which are indefinite-lived intangible assets. The Company reevaluates the useful life determination for these assets each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life. The Company tests its indefinite-lived intangible assets for potential impairment annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. If the fair value of the indefinite-lived asset is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized. Based on the results of the 2013 Analysis, the fair value of the indefinite-lived assets was greater than the carrying value. As such, no impairment charge was recorded during the period.
	Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization
	The Company’s intangible assets that do have finite lives (customer relationships – government and commercial, core developed technology, intellectual property and software) are amortized over their useful lives and reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If any indicators were present, the Company would test for recoverability by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the asset. If those net undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying amount (i.e., the asset is not recoverable), the Company would perform the next step, which is to determine the fair value of the asset and record an impairment loss, if any. The Company also reevaluates the useful lives for these intangible assets each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision in their remaining useful lives.
Asset Retirement Obligations, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Asset Retirement Obligations
	Liabilities arising from legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets are required to be measured at fair value and recorded as a liability. Upon initial recognition of a liability for retirement obligations, a company must record an asset, which is depreciated over the life of the asset to be retired.
	Under certain circumstances, each of the U.S. government, The Boeing Company (“Boeing”), and Motorola Solutions, Inc. (“Motorola Solutions”) has the right to require the de-orbit of the Company’s satellite constellation. One such right the U.S. government holds is to require the Company to de-orbit the satellite constellation if more than four satellites have insufficient fuel to execute a 12-month de-orbit, as is currently the case. In the event the Company was required to effect a mass de-orbit, pursuant to the amended and restated operations and maintenance agreement (the “O&M Agreement”) by and between the Company’s indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Iridium Constellation LLC (“Iridium Constellation”), and Boeing, the Company would be required to pay Boeing $17.6 million, plus an amount equivalent to the premium for de-orbit insurance coverage ($2.5 million as of December 31, 2013). The Company has concluded that each of the foregoing de-orbit rights meets the definition of an asset retirement obligation. However, the Company currently does not believe the U.S. government, Boeing or Motorola Solutions will exercise their respective de-orbit rights. As a result, the Company believes the likelihood of any future cash outflows associated with the mass de-orbit obligation is remote and has recorded an asset retirement obligation with respect to the potential mass de-orbit of approximately $0.2 million at December 31, 2013, which is included in other long-term liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
	There are other circumstances in which the Company could be required, either by the U.S. government or for technical reasons, to de-orbit an individual satellite; however, the Company believes that such costs would not be significant relative to the costs associated with the ordinary operations of the satellite constellation.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company derives its revenue primarily as a wholesaler of satellite communications products and services. The primary types of revenue include (i) service revenue (access and usage-based airtime fees), (ii) subscriber equipment revenue, and (iii) revenue generated by providing engineering and support services to commercial and government customers.
	Wholesaler of satellite communications products and services
	Pursuant to wholesale agreements, the Company sells its products and services to service providers who, in turn, sell the products and services to other distributors or directly to the end users. The Company recognizes revenue when services are performed or delivery has occurred, evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collection is probable, as follows:
	Contracts with multiple elements
	At times, the Company sells services and equipment through multi-element arrangements that bundle equipment, airtime and other services. For multi-element revenue arrangements when the Company sells services and equipment in bundled arrangements that include guaranteed minimum orders and determines that it has separate units of accounting, the Company allocates the bundled contract price among the various contract deliverables based on each deliverable’s relative selling price. The selling price used for each deliverable is based on vendor-specific objective evidence when available, third-party evidence when vendor-specific objective evidence is not available, or the estimated selling price when neither vendor-specific evidence nor third party evidence is available. The Company determines vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price by assessing sales prices of subscriber equipment, airtime and other services when they are sold to customers on a stand-alone basis. When the Company determines the elements are not separate units of accounting, the Company recognizes revenue on a combined basis as the last element is delivered.
	Service revenue sold on a stand-alone basis
	Service revenue is generated from the Company’s service providers through usage of its satellite system and through fixed monthly access fees per user charged to service providers. Revenue for usage is recognized when usage occurs. Revenue for fixed-per-user access fees is recognized ratably over the period in which the services are provided to the end user. The Company sells prepaid services in the form of e-vouchers and prepaid cards. A liability is established for the cash paid for the e-voucher or prepaid card on purchase. The Company recognizes revenue from the prepaid services (i) upon the use of the e-voucher or prepaid card by the customer; (ii) upon the expiration of the right to access the prepaid service; or (iii) when it is determined that the likelihood of the prepaid card being redeemed by the customer is remote (“Prepaid Card Breakage”). The Company has determined the recognition of Prepaid Card Breakage based on its historical redemption patterns. The Company does not offer refund privileges for unused prepaid services.
	Subscriber equipment sold on a stand-alone basis
	The Company recognizes subscriber equipment sales and the related costs when title to the equipment (and the risks and rewards of ownership) passes to the customer, typically upon shipment.
	Services sold to the U.S. government
	The Company provides airtime and airtime support to U.S. government and other authorized customers pursuant to the Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services (“EMSS”) contract managed by the Defense Information Systems Agency (“DISA”). The EMSS contract, entered into in April 2008, provided for a one-year base term and four additional one-year options which were exercised at the election of the U.S. government. Under the terms of this contract, the Company provided airtime to U.S. government subscribers through (i) fixed monthly fees on a per-user basis for unlimited voice services, (ii) fixed monthly fees per user for unlimited paging services, (iii) a tiered pricing plan (based on usage) per device for data services, (iv) fixed monthly fees on a per-user basis for unlimited beyond-line-of-sight push-to-talk voice services to user-defined groups (“Netted Iridium”), and (v) a monthly fee for active user-defined groups using Netted Iridium. Revenue related to these services was recognized ratably over the periods in which the services were provided, and the related costs were expensed as incurred.    After the exercise of all available optional contract extensions, the EMSS contract as signed in April 2008 expired in October of 2013.
	Effective October 22, 2013, the Company executed a new five-year EMSS contract. Under the terms of this new agreement, authorized customers will continue to utilize airtime services, provided through the U.S. Department of Defense’s (“DoD”) dedicated gateway.  These services will include unlimited global secure and unsecure voice, low and high-speed data, paging, and Netted Iridium services for an unlimited number of DoD and other federal subscribers.  The fixed-price rates in each of the five contract years, which run from October 22 through the following October 21 of each year, are $64 million and $72 million in years one and two, respectively, and $88 million in each of the years three through five. Under this contract, revenue is driven from the fixed-price contract with unlimited subscribers, and is recognized on a straight-line basis over each contractual year.
	The U.S. government purchases its subscriber equipment from third-party distributors and not directly from the Company.
	Government engineering and support services
	The Company provides maintenance services to the U.S. government’s dedicated gateway. This revenue is recognized ratably over the periods in which the services are provided; the related costs are expensed as incurred.
	Other government and commercial engineering and support services
	The Company also provides engineering services to assist customers in developing new technologies for use on the Company’s satellite system. The revenue associated with these services is recorded when the services are rendered, typically on a proportional performance method of accounting based on the Company’s estimate of total costs expected to complete the contract, and the related costs are expensed as incurred. Revenue on cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts is recognized to the extent of estimated costs incurred plus the applicable fees earned. The Company considers fixed fees under cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts to be earned in proportion to the allowable costs incurred in performance of the contract. The portion of revenue on research and development arrangements that is contingent upon the achievement of substantive milestone events is recognized in the period in which the milestone is achieved.
Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Warranty Expense
	The Company provides the first end-user purchaser of its subscriber equipment a warranty for one to five years from the date of purchase by such first end-user, depending on the product. The Company maintains a warranty reserve based on historical experience of warranty costs and expected occurrences of warranty claims on equipment. Costs associated with warranties, including equipment replacements, repairs, freight, and program administration, are recorded as cost of subscriber equipment in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. The Company recorded an increase of $6.9 million for the warranty provision for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher warranty claims and other warranty-related initiatives for the Iridium Pilot® terminals. During 2012, the Company identified production deficiencies related to the Iridium Extreme satellite handset; a reserve for the remediation of these deficiencies contributed $1.2 million to the warranty provision during 2012.
	Changes in the warranty reserve for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
			2013		2012
			(In thousands)
	Balance at beginning of the period		$	4,050	$	4,101
	Provision			11,690		4,795
	Utilization			-6,887		-4,846
	Balance at end of the period		$	8,853	$	4,050
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Research and Development
	Research and development costs are charged to expense in the period in which they are incurred.
Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Advertising Costs
	Costs associated with advertising and promotions are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses were $0.5 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, and $0.6 million for the year ended 2011.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, which requires the recognition of tax benefits or expenses for temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. The Company also recognizes a tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable based on its technical merits. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Net Income Per Share
	The Company calculates basic net income per share by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share takes into account the effect of potential dilutive common shares when the effect is dilutive. The effect of potential dilutive common shares, including common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and stock purchase warrants, is computed using the treasury stock method. The effect of potential dilutive common shares from the conversion of the outstanding convertible preferred securities is computed using the as-if converted method at the stated conversion rate. The Company’s unvested RSUs contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and therefore are considered to be participating securities in periods of net income. The calculation of basic and diluted net income per share excludes net income attributable to the unvested RSUs from the numerator and excludes the impact of unvested RSUs from the denominator.

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Interest Cost Incurred Capitalized [Table Text Block]	'
	Interest costs associated with financing the Company’s assets during the construction period of Iridium NEXT have been capitalized. Capitalized interest and interest expense were as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
		(In thousands)
	Capitalized interest	$	52,136	$	29,305	$	12,825
	Interest expense		583		114		42
	Total interest	$	52,719	$	29,419	$	12,867
Share Based Compensation Classification [Table Text Block]	'
	Classification of stock-based compensation for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Property and equipment, net	$	991	$	760
	Inventory		43		60
	Cost of subscriber equipment		32		157
	Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		550		608
	Research and development		132		209
	Selling, general and administrative		6,001		6,356
	Total stock-based compensation	$	7,749	$	8,150
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]	'
	Changes in the warranty reserve for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Balance at beginning of the period	$	4,050	$	4,101
	Provision		11,690		4,795
	Utilization		-6,887		-4,846
	Balance at end of the period	$	8,853	$	4,050

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_and_1

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:
							Recurring Fair
		2013			2012		Value Measurement
		(in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash	$	86,074		$	166,326
	Money market funds		88,769			88,092	Level 1
	Commercial paper		11,499			-	Level 2
	Total Cash and cash equivalents	$	186,342		$	254,418
Marketable Securities [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s marketable securities as of December 31, 2013:
				Recurring Fair
		2013			Value Measurement
		(in thousands)
	Marketable securities:
	Fixed-income debt securities	$	57,032		Level 2
	Commercial paper		19,615		Level 2
	Total Marketable securities	$	76,647
Schedule of Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents the contractual maturities of the fixed income debt securities and commercial paper held as of December 31, 2013:
		Amortized			Gross Unrealized		Estimated
		Cost			Loss		Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Fixed-income debt securities:
	Mature within one year	$	3,004		$	-	$	3,004
	Mature after one year and within three years		54,044			-16		54,028
	Commercial paper:
	Mature within one year		19,615			-		19,615
	Total	$	76,663		$	-16	$	76,647

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Debt Service Reserve Minimums [Table Text Block]	'
	The Credit Facility will mature seven years after the start of the repayment period. In addition, the Company is required to maintain minimum debt service reserve levels, which are estimated as follows:
	At December 31,	Amount
		(in millions)
	2014	$	108
	2015		135
	2016		162
	2017		189

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	'
	Property and equipment consisted of the following at December 31:
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Satellite system	$	337,677	$	337,677
	Ground system		41,247		16,751
	Equipment		25,019		22,272
	Internally developed software and purchased software		68,141		56,750
	Building and leasehold improvements		28,063		28,070
			500,147		461,520
	Less: accumulated depreciation		-296,716		-240,186
			203,431		221,334
	Land		8,037		8,037
	Construction in process:
	Iridium NEXT systems under construction		1,341,148		972,908
	Other construction in process		22,963		8,414
	Total property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	$	1,575,579	$	1,210,693
Other Construction In Process [Table Text Block]	'
	Other construction in process consisted of the following at December 31:
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Internally developed software	$	17,582	$	7,390
	Equipment		4,204		843
	Ground system		1,177		181
	Total other construction in process	$	22,963	$	8,414

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Table Text Block]	'
	The Company has identifiable intangible assets as follows:
		December 31, 2013
		Useful		Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Lives		Carrying Value		Amortization		Carrying Value
		(In thousands)
	Indefinite life intangible assets:
	Trade names	Indefinite		$	21,195	$	-	$	21,195
	Spectrum and licenses	Indefinite			14,030		-		14,030
	Total				35,225		-		35,225
	Definite life intangible assets:
	Customer relationships - government	5 years			20,355		-17,301		3,054
	Customer relationships - commercial	5 years			33,052		-28,094		4,958
	Core developed technology	5 years			4,842		-4,116		726
	Intellectual property	16.5 years (1)			16,439		-3,253		13,186
	Software	5 years			2,025		-1,722		303
	Total				76,713		-54,486		22,227
	Total intangible assets			$	111,938	$	-54,486	$	57,452
		December 31, 2012
		Useful		Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Lives		Carrying Value		Amortization		Carrying Value
		(In thousands)
	Indefinite life intangible assets:
	Trade names	Indefinite		$	21,195	$	-	$	21,195
	Spectrum and licenses	Indefinite			14,030		-		14,030
	Total				35,225		-		35,225
	Definite life intangible assets:
	Customer relationships - government	5 years			20,355		-13,230		7,125
	Customer relationships - commercial	5 years			33,052		-21,484		11,568
	Core developed technology	5 years			4,842		-3,147		1,695
	Intellectual property	16.5 years (1)			16,439		-2,258		14,181
	Software	5 years			2,025		-1,317		708
	Total				76,713		-41,436		35,277
	Total intangible assets			$	111,938	$	-41,436	$	70,502
	(1)	Intellectual property is allocated over the estimated useful life of the existing satellite systems and Iridium NEXT, which averages to 16.5 years.
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	'
	Future amortization expense with respect to intangible assets existing at December 31, 2013, by year and in the aggregate, is as follows:
	Year ending December 31,	Amount
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	10,036
	2015		995
	2016		995
	2017		995
	2018		995
	Thereafter		8,211
	Total estimated future amortization expense	$	22,227

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	'
	Future minimum lease payments, by year and in the aggregate, under noncancelable operating leases at December 31, 2013, are as follows:
		Operating
	Year ending December 31,	Leases
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	2,702
	2015		2,867
	2016		2,291
	2017		2,239
	2018		2,302
	Thereafter		7,402
	Total	$	19,803

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs, Share-Based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	'
	Assumptions used in determining the fair value of the Company’s options were as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Expected volatility	41% - 42%		42% - 45%		40% - 45%
	Expected term (years)	3.00 - 6.25		5.50 - 6.25		5.50 - 6.25
	Expected dividends	0%		0%		0%
	Risk free interest rate	0.58% - 1.93%		0.78% - 1.17%		1.16% - 2.65%
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of the activity of the Company’s stock options as of December 31, 2013 is as follows:
					Weighted-
			Weighted-		Average
			Average		Remaining		Aggregate
			Exercise Price		Contractual		Intrinsic
		Shares	Per Share		Term (Years)		Value
		(In thousands, except years and per share data)
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2013	5,431	$	8.3
	Granted	1,339	$	6.31
	Cancelled or expired	-340	$	8.62
	Exercised	-4	$	6.54
	Forfeited	-243	$	7.31
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2013	6,183	$	7.89	7.05		$	140
	Options vested and exercisable at December 31, 2013	3,918	$	8.36	6.24		$	-
	Options exercisable and expected to vest at December	6,142	$	7.9	7.04		$	136
	31, 2013
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of the Company’s activity for the year ended December 31, 2013 for outstanding RSUs is as follows:
			Weighted-
			Average
			Grant Date
			Fair Value
		RSUs	Per RSU
		(In thousands)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013	1,007	$	7.6
	Granted	863	$	6.18
	Forfeited	-310	$	7.25
	Released	-254	$	7.56
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,306	$	6.76
	Vested at December 31, 2013	346
Schedule of Unvested Restricted Stock Units Roll Forward [Table Text Block]	'
	summary of the Company’s activity for the year ended December 31, 2013 for unvested RSUs is as follows:
			Weighted-
			Average
			Grant Date
			Fair Value
		RSUs	Per RSU
		(In thousands)
	Non-vested at January 1, 2013	740	$	7.56
	Granted	863	$	6.18
	Vested	-333	$	7.34
	Forfeited	-310	$	7.25
	Non-vested at December 31, 2013	960	$	6.5

Segments_Significant_Customers1

Segments, Significant Customers, Supplier and Service Providers and Geographic Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Long Lived Assets By Geographical Areas [Table Text Block]	'
	Net property and equipment by geographic area was as follows as of December 31:
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	United States	$	118,011	$	94,017
	Satellites in orbit		96,231		137,720
	Iridium NEXT systems under construction		1,341,148		972,908
	All others (1)		20,189		6,048
	Total	$	1,575,579	$	1,210,693
	(1)             No one other country represented more than 10% of property and equipment, net.
Schedule Of Revenues From External Customers By Geographical Areas [Table Text Block]	'
	Revenue by geographic area was as follows for the years ended December 31:
		2013		2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	United States	$	175,054	$	178,145	$	176,043
	Canada		49,541		53,279		52,419
	United Kingdom		37,421		42,706		48,886
	Other countries (1)		120,633		109,390		106,959
	Total	$	382,649	$	383,520	$	384,307
	(1)                 No one other country represented more than 10% of revenue.

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]	'
	U.S. and foreign components of income before income taxes are presented below:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
		(In thousands)
	U.S. income	$	111,685	$	94,719	$	65,272
	Foreign income (loss)		-1,220		299		309
	Total income before income taxes	$	110,465	$	95,018	$	65,581
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of the Company’s income tax provision are as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
		(In thousands)
	Current taxes:
	Federal provision (benefit)	$	-12	$	-47	$	82
	State provision		7		96		816
	Foreign provision		723		849		567
	Total current tax provision		718		898		1,465
	Deferred taxes:
	Federal provision		39,041		30,014		21,089
	State provision (benefit)		8,240		-610		1,995
	Foreign provision (benefit)		-51		85		-3
	Total deferred tax provision		47,230		29,489		23,081
	Total income tax provision	$	47,948	$	30,387	$	24,546
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory income tax expense to the Company’s effective income tax provision is as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
		(In thousands)
	U.S. federal statutory tax rate	$	38,668	$	33,256	$	22,955
	State taxes, net of federal benefit		9,048		3,837		2,561
	State tax valuation allowance		3,151		1,943		-
	Arizona tax law change		-3,975		-9,524		-3,126
	Other nondeductible expenses		1,185		414		854
	Liability for uncertain tax positions		-146		-45		704
	Tax credits and other adjustments		-849		223		784
	Foreign taxes and other items		866		283		-186
	Total income tax provision	$	47,948	$	30,387	$	24,546
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
		As of December 31,
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Deferred tax assets
	Long-term contracts	$	33,988	$	22,894
	Deferred revenue		4,086		6,212
	Federal, state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards		133,190		122,948
	and tax credits
	Other		21,571		19,551
	Total deferred tax assets		192,835		171,605
	Valuation allowance		-6,567		-2,200
	Net deferred tax assets	$	186,268	$	169,405
	Deferred tax liabilities
	Fixed assets and intangibles	$	-58,220	$	-58,930
	Research and development expenditures		-318,340		-254,312
	Other		-3,457		-2,824
	Total deferred tax liabilities	$	-380,017	$	-316,066
	Net deferred income tax liabilities	$	-193,749	$	-146,661
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]	'
	The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits which includes related interest and penalties:
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	Balance at January 1,	$	1,405	$	1,450
	Change attributable to tax positions taken in a prior period		54		38
	Change attributable to tax positions taken in the current period		7		7
	Decrease attributable to lapse of statute of limitations		-207		-90
	Balance at December 31,	$	1,259	$	1,405

Net_Income_Per_Share_Tables

Net Income Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	'
	The computations of basic and diluted net income per share are set forth below:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	55,517	$	62,939	$	41,035
	Net income allocated to participating securities		-46		-54		-29
	Numerator for basic net income per share		55,471		62,885		41,006
	Dividends on Series A Preferred Stock		7,000		1,692		-
	Numerator for diluted net income per share	$	62,471	$	64,577	$	41,006
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic net income per share -		76,909		74,239		72,164
	weighted average outstanding common shares
	Dilutive effect of warrants		-		1,272		1,395
	Dilutive effect of stock options		-		6		-
	Dilutive effect of Series A Preferred Stock		10,602		2,665		-
	Denominator for diluted net income per share		87,511		78,182		73,559
	Net income per share - basic	$	0.72	$	0.85	$	0.57
	Net income per share - diluted	$	0.71	$	0.83	$	0.56

Selected_Quarterly_Information1

Selected Quarterly Information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The following represents the Company’s unaudited quarterly results for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
		Quarter Ended
		March 31,		June 30,		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2013		2013		2013
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Revenue	$	89,189	$	94,684	$	100,569	$	98,207
	Operating income	$	25,338	$	28,848	$	29,451	$	26,257
	Net income	$	14,934	$	15,413	$	16,585	$	15,585
	Net income per common share - basic	$	0.17	$	0.18	$	0.19	$	0.18
	Net income per common share -diluted	$	0.17	$	0.18	$	0.19	$	0.18
		Quarter Ended
		March 31,		June 30,		September 30,		December 31,
		2012		2012		2012		2012
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Revenue	$	93,474	$	97,321	$	100,441	$	92,284
	Operating income	$	14,088	$	28,274	$	31,688	$	31,024
	Net income	$	12,418	$	17,663	$	17,839	$	16,711
	Net income per common share - basic	$	0.17	$	0.24	$	0.24	$	0.2
	Net income per common share -diluted	$	0.16	$	0.23	$	0.23	$	0.19

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Capitalized interest	$52,136	$29,305	$12,825
Interest expense	583	114	42
Total interest	$52,719	$29,419	$12,867

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Share Based Compensation Expensed And Capitalized	$7,749	$8,150
Property And Equipment Net [Member]	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Share Based Compensation Expensed And Capitalized	991	760
Inventory [Member]	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Share Based Compensation Expensed And Capitalized	43	60
Cost Of Subscriber Equipment [Member]	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Share Based Compensation Expensed And Capitalized	32	157
Cost Of Services [Member]	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Share Based Compensation Expensed And Capitalized	550	608
Research And Development [Member]	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Share Based Compensation Expensed And Capitalized	132	209
Selling General And Administrative [Member]	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Share Based Compensation Expensed And Capitalized	$6,001	$6,356

Significant_Accounting_Policie5

Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Balance at beginning of the period	$4,050	$4,101
Provision	11,690	4,795
Utilization	-6,887	-4,846
Balance at end of the period	$8,853	$4,050

Significant_Accounting_Policie6

Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 04, 2010
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Contribution To Warranty Provision	$6,900,000	$1,200,000	'	'
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	500,000	1,100,000	'	'
Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Net	130,036,000	123,796,000	'	'
Tangible Asset Impairment Charges, Total	'	2,000,000	3,000,000	'
Depreciation Impact Change Of Accounting Estimate	'	19,600,000	'	'
Impact Of Change In Accounting Estimate On Basic Earnings Per Share	'	$0.17	'	'
Impact Of Change In Accounting Estimate On Diluted Earnings Per Share	'	$0.16	'	'
Maximum De Orbit Asset Retirement Obligation	17,600,000	'	'	'
De Orbit Insurance Coverage	2,500,000	'	'	'
Asset Retirement Obligation	200,000	'	'	'
Advertising Expense	500,000	500,000	600,000	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	81,223,000	54,233,000	'	'
Asset Impairment Charges, Total	1,500,000	'	'	'
US Government Contract Future Minimum Payments Receivable Year One	64,000,000	'	'	'
US Government Contract Future Minimum Payments Receivable Year Two	72,000,000	'	'	'
US Government Contract Future Minimum Payments Receivable Year Three	88,000,000	'	'	'
US Government Contract Future Minimum Payments Receivable Year Four	88,000,000	'	'	'
US Government Contract Future Minimum Payments Receivable Year five	88,000,000	'	'	'
Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1,800,000,000	'	'	1,800,000,000
Standard Product Warranty Description	'The Company provides the first end-user purchaser of its subscriber equipment a warranty for one to five years from the date of purchase by such first end-user, depending on the product.	'	'	'
Cash Flow Projections, Discount Rate	10.00%	'	'	'
Subsequent Event [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Tangible Asset Impairment Charges, Total	$900,000	'	'	'
Satellites [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	'estimated useful life	'	'	'
Ground System [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Property Plant And Equipment Estimated Life Minimum	'5 years	'	'	'
Property Plant And Equipment Estimated Life Maximum	'7 years	'	'	'
Equipment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Property Plant And Equipment Estimated Life Minimum	'3 years	'	'	'
Property Plant And Equipment Estimated Life Maximum	'5 years	'	'	'
Software [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Property Plant And Equipment Estimated Life Minimum	'3 years	'	'	'
Property Plant And Equipment Estimated Life Maximum	'7 years	'	'	'
Building [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'39 years	'	'	'
Building Improvements [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	'estimated useful life	'	'	'
Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	'shorter of useful life or remaining lease term	'	'	'

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_and_2

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash and cash equivalents:	'	'	'	'
Cash	$86,074	$166,326	'	'
Total Cash and cash equivalents	186,342	254,418	136,366	119,932
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents:	'	'	'	'
Money market funds	88,769	88,092	'	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents:	'	'	'	'
Commercial paper	$11,499	$0	'	'

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_and_3

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total Marketable securities	$76,647	$0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Fixed-income debt securities	57,032	'
Commercial paper	$19,615	'

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_and_4

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Fixed-income debt securities:	'
Mature within one year - Amortized Cost	$3,004
Mature after one year and within three years - Amortized Cost	54,044
Mature within one year - Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss)	0
Mature after one year and within three years - Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss)	-16
Mature within one year - Estimated Fair Value	3,004
Mature after one year and within three years - Estimated Fair Value	54,028
Commercial paper:	'
Mature within one year - Amortized Cost	19,615
Mature within one year - Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss)	0
Mature within one year - Estimated Fair Value	19,615
Total - Amortized Cost	76,663
Total - Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss)	-16
Total - Estimated Fair Value	$76,647

Cash_and_Cash_Equivalents_and_5

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss), Total	($16)	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) On Securities Arising During Period, Net Of Tax	($10)	$0	$0

Equity_Instruments_Details_Tex

Equity Instruments (Details Textual) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 17, 2014

Dec. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 29, 2009

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

7.00 Warrants [Member]

Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]

11.50 Warrants [Member]

11.50 Warrants [Member]

11.50 Warrants [Member]

Tender Offer Warrant Exchange [Member]

Tender Offer Warrant Exchange [Member]

Tender Offer Warrant Exchange [Member]

Tender Offer Warrant Exchange [Member]

Private Warrant Exchanges [Member]

Private Warrant Exchanges [Member]

Private Warrant Exchanges [Member]

Private Offering [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

7.00 Warrants [Member]

11.50 Warrants [Member]

7.00 Warrants [Member]

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

Equity Instruments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Issued During Period Units Of Initial Public Offering

'

'

'

'

'

40,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Price Per Unit Of Initial Public Offering

'

'

'

'

'

$10

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Price Per Share Of Common Stock

'

'

'

'

'

$7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$11.50

'

'

'

Price Per Share Of Warrants

$7

'

'

'

'

$7

'

'

'

'

$11.50

'

'

'

$11.50

'

'

'

Redemption Price Per Warrant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0.01

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number Of Warrants Exchange For New Warrants

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common Stock Redemption Price Description

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'closing price of the common stock is at least $18.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading-day period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance Of Common Stock For Exchange Warrants

'

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number Of Warrants Exchange To Common Stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,923,963

'

8,321,433

'

8,167,541

'

3,374,220

'

Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

277,021

'

'

'

'

Class Of Warrant Exercise Price Of Warrants

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$11.50

$7

$11.50

'

$11.50

'

'

Warrants Exchange Percentage To Issue Common Stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

27.00%

'

Ratio Of Shares Offered To Warrant Holders

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'one share of common stock for every six of the $7.00 Warrants tendered.

'

'

'

'

'

Number Of Shares Issued For Each Warrant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.1667

'

'

'

0.1667

'

Preferred stock, shares issued

1,000,000

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible Perpetual Preferred Discount On Issue Of Shares Including Offering Costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,500,000

Net Proceeds From Issuance Of Convertible Preferred Stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

96,500,000

Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share

'

$100

'

'

'

'

$100

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred Stock Conversion Rate

'

10.6022

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred Stock Convertible Conversion Price

'

$9.43

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued

'

9,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividends Payable, Current

292,000

273,000

0

300,000

1,750,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Reserved for Future Issuance

'

'

'

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred Stock, Par Or Stated Value Per Share

$0.00

$0.00

'

$0.00

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Warrants Exercised During Period

'

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance Of Common Stock For Exchange Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,303,267

'

1,386,941

'

1,643,453

'

562,370

'

Preferred Stock Purchase Price Per Share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$96.85

Convertible Perpetual Preferred Discount On Issue Of Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,200,000

Annual Cash Dividend Amount

$7,000,000

$1,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investment Warrants Expiration Year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2015

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.00%

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
2014	$108
2015	135
2016	162
2017	$189

Debt_Details_Textual

Debt (Details Textual) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 04, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	Oct. 04, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	Oct. 04, 2010	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
						Tranche One [Member]	Tranche One [Member]	Tranche Two [Member]	Tranche Two [Member]	Line of Credit [Member]	Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	'	$1,800,000,000	'	'	$1,800,000,000	'	$1,537,500,000	'	$262,500,000	'	'
Interest Expense, Debt, Total	'	39,600,000	25,500,000	11,900,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest Expense Paid Via Deemed Loan	'	27,500,000	17,800,000	8,300,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage Of Additional Amount Drawn To Cover Policy Premium	'	6.49%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	'	0.80%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Undrawn Credit Facility Fees	'	7,708,000	10,232,000	12,524,000	'	'	'	'	'	7,700,000	10,200,000
Percentage Of Costs Under Development Contract	'	85.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line Of Credit Facility Interest Costs Capitalized	'	39,600,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line Of Credit Facility Interest Payable In Cash	'	12,100,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line Of Credit Facility Cash Interest Payments During Period	'	9,700,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line Of Credit Facility Accrued Interest At Period End Payable In Cash	'	2,400,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line Of Credit Facility Interest Payable In Deemed Loans	'	27,500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line Of Credit Facility Interest Payments Via Deemed Loan During Period	'	22,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line Of Credit Facility Accrued Interest At Period End Payable Via Deemed Loan	'	5,500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Minimum Required Cash Reserve Balance For Credit Facility	'	81,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	760,800,000	'
Long-Term Line Of Credit, Noncurrent	'	1,039,203,000	751,787,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,039,200,000	'
Proceeds from Warrant Exercises	'	3,000	9,114,000	1,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Airtime Credits Allowed Under Lender Agreement	10,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Additional Funds Raised Allowed Under Lender Agreement	15,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Aireon Investment Allowed Under Lender Agreement	12,500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Required Equity Raise Under Lender Agreement	'	'	100,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line Of Credit Facility Pro Rata Rate	'	'	'	'	'	4.96%	'	'	'	'	'
Line Of Credit Facility Interest Rate On Deemed Loan	'	'	'	'	'	3.56%	'	'	'	'	'
Line Of Credit Facility Pro Rata Rate Description	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'(“LIBOR”) plus 1.95%.	'	'	'
Line Of Credit Facility Interest Rate On Deemed Loan Description	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'LIBOR plus 0.55%.	'	'	'
Interest Payable Credit Facility Current	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,000,000	5,400,000
Maximum Required Cash Reserve Balance For Credit Facility	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	189,000,000	'
Minimum Cash Balance Under Line Of Credit	'	25,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Terms	'	'a debt-to-equity ratio, which is calculated as the ratio of total net debt to the aggregate of total net debt and total stockholders equity, of no more than 0.7 to 1, measured each June 30 and December 31;specified maximum levels of annual capital expenditures (excluding expenditures on the construction of Iridium NEXT satellites) through the year ending December 31, 2024;specified minimum consolidated operational earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or operational EBITDA, levels for the 12-month periods ending each December 31 and June 30 through June 30, 2017;specified minimum cash flow requirements from customers who have hosted payloads on the Companys satellites during the 12-month periods ending each December 31 and June 30, beginning December 31, 2014 and ending on June 30, 2017;a debt service coverage ratio, measured during the repayment period, of not less than 1 to 1.5; andspecified maximum leverage levels during the repayment period that decline from a ratio of 4.75 to 1 for thetwelve months ending June 30, 2017 to a ratio of 2.5 to 1 for thetwelve months ending June 30, 2025.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Available Cash Balance As Defined Under Line Of Credit	'	204,000,000	254,400,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt To Equity Ratio As Defined Under Line Of Credit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.48	0.36
Available Cure Balance As Defined Under Line Of Credit	'	$700,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Boeing_Operations_and_Maintena1

Boeing Operations and Maintenance Agreements (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Boeing Operations and Maintenance Agreements [Line Items]	'	'	'
Satellite Operations And Maintenance Costs	$30.10	$31.90	$34.30
De Orbit Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Boeing Operations and Maintenance Agreements [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Cost Description	'approximately $17.6 million plus an amount equivalent to the premium of the de-orbit insurance coverage to be paid to Boeing	'	'

Property_and_Equipment_Details

Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$500,147	$461,520
Less: accumulated depreciation	-296,716	-240,186
Property Plant And Equipment Net Excluding Construction In Process And Land	203,431	221,334
Land	8,037	8,037
Total property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	1,575,579	1,210,693
Satellite System [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	337,677	337,677
Ground System [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	41,247	16,751
Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	25,019	22,272
Software Development [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	68,141	56,750
Building And Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	28,063	28,070
Iridium Next Systems Under Construction [Member]	'	'
Construction In Process [Abstract]	'	'
Other construction in process	1,341,148	972,908
Other Construction In Process [Member]	'	'
Construction In Process [Abstract]	'	'
Other construction in process	$22,963	$8,414

Property_and_Equipment_Details1

Property and Equipment (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total other construction in process	$22,963	$8,414
Software Development [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total other construction in process	17,582	7,390
Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total other construction in process	4,204	843
Ground System [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total other construction in process	$1,177	$181

Property_and_Equipment_Details2

Property and Equipment (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation	$62	$68.10	$84.60

Intangible_Assets_Details

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Indefinite life intangible assets:	'		'
Total Gross Carrying Value	$35,225		$35,225
Total Accumulated Amortization	0		0
Total Net Carrying Value	35,225		35,225
Definite life intangible assets:	'		'
Total Gross Carrying Value	76,713		76,713
Total intangible assets, Gross Carrying Value	111,938		111,938
Total, Accumulated Amortization	-54,486		-41,436
Total intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-54,486		-41,436
Total, Net Carrying Value	22,227		35,277
Total intangible assets, Net Carrying Value	57,452		70,502
Customer Relationships Government [Member]	'		'
Definite life intangible assets:	'		'
Useful Lives	'5 years		'5 years
Total Gross Carrying Value	20,355		20,355
Total, Accumulated Amortization	-17,301		-13,230
Total, Net Carrying Value	3,054		7,125
Customer Relationships Commercial [Member]	'		'
Definite life intangible assets:	'		'
Useful Lives	'5 years		'5 years
Total Gross Carrying Value	33,052		33,052
Total, Accumulated Amortization	-28,094		-21,484
Total, Net Carrying Value	4,958		11,568
Core Developed Technology [Member]	'		'
Definite life intangible assets:	'		'
Useful Lives	'5 years		'5 years
Total Gross Carrying Value	4,842		4,842
Total, Accumulated Amortization	-4,116		-3,147
Total, Net Carrying Value	726		1,695
Intellectual Property [Member]	'		'
Definite life intangible assets:	'		'
Useful Lives	'16 years 6 months	[1]	'16 years 6 months	[1]
Total Gross Carrying Value	16,439		16,439
Total, Accumulated Amortization	-3,253		-2,258
Total, Net Carrying Value	13,186		14,181
Software Development [Member]	'		'
Definite life intangible assets:	'		'
Useful Lives	'5 years		'5 years
Total Gross Carrying Value	2,025		2,025
Total, Accumulated Amortization	-1,722		-1,317
Total, Net Carrying Value	303		708
Trade Names [Member]	'		'
Indefinite life intangible assets:	'		'
Total Gross Carrying Value	21,195		21,195
Total Accumulated Amortization	0		0
Total Net Carrying Value	21,195		21,195
Spectrum And Licensing [Member]	'		'
Indefinite life intangible assets:	'		'
Total Gross Carrying Value	14,030		14,030
Total Accumulated Amortization	0		0
Total Net Carrying Value	$14,030		$14,030
[1]	Intellectual property is allocated over the estimated useful life of the existing satellite systems and Iridium NEXT, which averages to 16.5 years.

Intangible_Assets_Details_1

Intangible Assets (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
2014	$10,036
2015	995
2016	995
2017	995
2018	995
Thereafter	8,211
Total estimated future amortization expense	$22,227

Intangible_Assets_Details_Text

Intangible Assets (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Intellectual Property Useful Life	'16 years 6 months	'	'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'7 years 6 months	'	'
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$13	$13	$13

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Year ending December 31,	'
2014	$2,702
2015	2,867
2016	2,291
2017	2,239
2018	2,302
Thereafter	7,402
Total	$19,803

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Section One [Member]

Section Two [Member]

Section Three [Member]

FSD [Member]

Thales Alenia Space France [Member]

Space Exploration Technologies Corp [Member]

Space Exploration Technologies Corp [Member]

Kosmotras [Member]

Kosmotras [Member]

Kosmotras [Member]

Supplier Purchase Commitments [Member]

Supplier Purchase Commitments [Member]

space vehicle [Member]

Section Two [Member]

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosures [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Construction in Progress, Gross

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,091,600,000

$69,700,000

'

$18,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum Commitment Amount Due To Primary Launch Service Provider

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

453,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitments Price For Design and Build Of Satellites

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum Commitment Amount Due To Secondary Launch Service Provider

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

184,300,000

'

'

'

Purchase Obligation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

147,800,000

'

'

Lease Extended Period

'2024

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase Obligation Amount For Single Launch

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

51,800,000

'

'

'

'

Contractual Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

458,800,000

83,500,000

'

25,300,000

'

'

55,300,000

'

'

Contractual Obligation, Due in Second Year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

344,100,000

169,100,000

'

8,200,000

'

'

36,500,000

'

'

Contractual Obligation, Due in Third Year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000,000

109,000,000

'

'

'

'

37,100,000

'

'

Contractual Obligation, Due in Fourth Year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

166,700,000

21,800,000

'

'

'

'

18,900,000

'

'

Other Inventory, Materials, Supplies and Merchandise under Consignment, Gross

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,400,000

1,400,000

'

Insurance Policy Liability Limit Per Occurrence

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000,000

500,000,000

500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Insurance Policy Liability Limit Aggregate

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000,000

1,000,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000,000

Deductible For Claims

'

'

'

'

'

'

250,000

250,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating Lease Agreements Renewal Term

'

'

'

'10 years

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Insurance Policy Premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating Leases, Rent Expense

3,200,000

3,200,000

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Construction In Progress Funded By Credit Facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$927,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected volatility (minimum)	41.00%	42.00%	40.00%
Expected volatility (maximum)	42.00%	45.00%	45.00%
Expected dividends	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Risk free interest rate (minimum)	0.58%	0.78%	1.16%
Risk free interest rate (maximum)	1.93%	1.17%	2.65%
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected term (years)	'6 years 3 months	'6 years 3 months	'6 years 3 months
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected term (years)	'3 years	'5 years 6 months	'5 years 6 months

StockBased_Compensation_Detail1

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Company Stock Options Activity [Line Items]	'
Options outstanding at January 1, 2013	5,431
Granted - Shares	1,339
Cancelled or expired - Shares	-340
Exercised - Shares	-4
Forfeited - Shares	-243
Options outstanding at December 31, 2013	6,183
Options vested and exercisable at December 31, 2013 - Shares	3,918
Options exercisable and expected to vest at December 31, 2013 - Shares	6,142
Options outstanding at January 1, 2013 - Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$8.30
Options Granted - Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$6.31
Options Cancelled or expired - Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$8.62
Options Exercised - Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$6.54
Options Forfeited - Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$7.31
Options outstanding at December 31, 2013 - Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$7.89
Options vested and exercisable at December 31, 2013 - Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$8.36
Options exercisable and expected to vest at December 31, 2013 - Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$7.90
Options outstanding at December 31, 2013 - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	'7 years 18 days
Options vested and exercisable at December 31, 2013 - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	'6 years 2 months 26 days
Options exercisable and expected to vest at December 31, 2013 - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	'7 years 14 days
Options outstanding at December 31, 2013 - Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$140
Options vested and exercisable at December 31, 2013 - Aggregate Intrinsic Value	0
Options exercisable and expected to vest at December 31, 2013 - Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$136

StockBased_Compensation_Detail2

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2) (Outstanding Restricted Stock Units [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Outstanding Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'
Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Restricted Stock Units Award Activity [Line Items]	'
Outstanding - Restricted Stock Units	1,007
Granted - Restricted Stock Units	863
Forfeited - Restricted Stock Units	-310
Released - Restricted Stock Units	-254
Outstanding - Restricted Stock Units	1,306
Vested at December 31, 2013	346
Outstanding - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per RSU	$7.60
Granted - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per RSU	$6.18
Forfeited - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per RSU	$7.25
Released - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per RSU	$7.56
Outstanding - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per RSU	$6.76

StockBased_Compensation_Detail3

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 3) (Unvested Restricted Stock Units [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Unvested Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'
Schedule Of Unvested Restricted Stock Units [Line Items]	'
Non-vested - Restricted Stock Units	740
Granted - Restricted Stock Units	863
Vested - Restricted Stock Units	-333
Forfeited - Restricted Stock Units	-310
Non-vested - Restricted Stock Units	960
Non-vested - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per RSU	$7.56
Granted - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per RSU	$6.18
Vested - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per RSU	$7.34
Forfeited - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per RSU	$7.25
Non-vested - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per RSU	$6.50

StockBased_Compensation_Detail4

Stock-Based Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Restricted Stock Vesting Range Minimum	0.00%	'	'
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Restricted Stock Vesting Range Maximum	150.00%	'	'
Percentage Of Restricted Stock Units Awards Vested After Two Years	50.00%	'	'
Percentage Of Restricted Stock Units Awards Vested After Third Year	50.00%	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$6	$6	$5.60
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$2.60	$3.31	$3.69
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Total	5.7	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	'2 years 4 months 24 days	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	6.3	6.7	4.6
Restricted Stock or Unit Expense	1.7	2.1	0.7
2012 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	13,416,019	'	'
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Non Employee [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Grant Date Fair Value Of Stock Options	0.1	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	100,000	'	'
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Employee [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Grant Date Fair Value Of Stock Options	3.2	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	1,200,000	'	'
First Anniversary Vesting Percentage	25.00%	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Terms of Award	'ten years	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'4 years	'	'
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Directors [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Grant Date Fair Value Of Stock Options	0.2	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	100,000	'	'
Quarterly Vesting Percentage	25.00%	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Terms of Award	'ten years	'	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
First Anniversary Vesting Percentage	25.00%	'	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Directors [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Grant Date Fair Value Of Restricted Stock Units	0.8	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	100,000	'	'
Quarterly Vesting Percentage	25.00%	'	'
Service Based Rsu [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Grant Date Fair Value Of Restricted Stock Units	3.2	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	500,000	'	'
Performance Based Rsu [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Grant Date Fair Value Of Restricted Stock Units	1.4	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	200,000	'	'
Reversal of Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense	$1.30	'	'

Segments_Significant_Customers2

Segments, Significant Customers, Supplier and Service Providers and Geographic Information (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	$1,575,579		$1,210,693
UNITED STATES	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	118,011		94,017
Satellites In Orbit [Member]	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	96,231		137,720
Iridium Next Systems [Member]	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	1,341,148		972,908
All Other [Member]	'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	$20,189	[1]	$6,048	[1]
[1]	No one other country represented more than 10% of property and equipment, net.

Segments_Significant_Customers3

Segments, Significant Customers, Supplier and Service Providers and Geographic Information (Details 1) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Revenue

$98,207

$100,569

$94,684

$89,189

$92,284

$100,441

$97,321

$93,474

$382,649

$383,520

$384,307

UNITED STATES

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

175,054

178,145

176,043

CANADA

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

49,541

53,279

52,419

UNITED KINGDOM

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,421

42,706

48,886

Other Countries [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$120,633

[1]

$109,390

[1]

$106,959

[1]

[1]

No one other country represented more than 10% of revenue.

Segments_Significant_Customers4

Segments, Significant Customers, Supplier and Service Providers and Geographic Information (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage Of Total Revenue From Prime Contracts	19.00%	20.00%	23.00%
Percentage Of Accounts Receivable From Prime Contracts	34.00%	25.00%	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration Percentage	10.00%	'	'
Sales Revenue, Net [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration Percentage	10.00%	'	'
Largest Commercial Customers [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenue Percentage From Two Major Commercial Customers	16.00%	20.00%	21.00%
Accounts Receivable Percentage From Two Major Customers	15.00%	13.00%	'
Accounts Receivable Percentage From Single Major Customers	15.00%	13.00%	'

Employee_Benefit_Plan_Details_

Employee Benefit Plan (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan Employee Matching Contribution Annual Vesting Percentage	100.00%	'	'
Maximum Employee Contribution Percentage	100.00%	'	'
Maximum Deferral Contribution Percentage	5.00%	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount	$1.20	$1.20	$1.10

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
U.S. income	$111,685	$94,719	$65,272
Foreign income (loss)	-1,220	299	309
Total income before income taxes	$110,465	$95,018	$65,581

Income_Taxes_Details_1

Income Taxes (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current taxes:	'	'	'
Federal provision (benefit)	($12)	($47)	$82
State provision	7	96	816
Foreign provision	723	849	567
Total current tax provision	718	898	1,465
Deferred taxes:	'	'	'
Federal provision	39,041	30,014	21,089
State provision (benefit)	8,240	-610	1,995
Foreign provision (benefit)	-51	85	-3
Total deferred tax provision	47,230	29,489	23,081
Total income tax provision	$47,948	$30,387	$24,546

Income_Taxes_Details_2

Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
U.S. federal statutory tax rate	$38,668	$33,256	$22,955
State taxes, net of federal benefit	9,048	3,837	2,561
State tax valuation allowance	3,151	1,943	0
Arizona tax law change	-3,975	-9,524	-3,126
Other nondeductible expenses	1,185	414	854
Liability for uncertain tax positions	-146	-45	704
Tax credits and other adjustments	-849	223	784
Foreign taxes and other items	866	283	-186
Total income tax provision	$47,948	$30,387	$24,546

Income_Taxes_Details_3

Income Taxes (Details 3) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets	'	'
Long-term contracts	$33,988	$22,894
Deferred revenue	4,086	6,212
Federal, state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits	133,190	122,948
Other	21,571	19,551
Total deferred tax assets	192,835	171,605
Valuation allowance	-6,567	-2,200
Net deferred tax assets	186,268	169,405
Deferred tax liabilities	'	'
Fixed assets and intangibles	-58,220	-58,930
Research and development expenditures	-318,340	-254,312
Other	-3,457	-2,824
Total deferred tax liabilities	-380,017	-316,066
Net deferred income tax liabilities	($193,749)	($146,661)

Income_Taxes_Details_4

Income Taxes (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'
Balance at January 1,	$1,405	$1,450
Change attributable to tax positions taken in a prior period	54	38
Change attributable to tax positions taken in the current period	7	7
Decrease attributable to lapse of statute of limitations	-207	-90
Balance at December 31,	$1,259	$1,405

Income_Taxes_Details_Textual

Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred Tax Assets, in Process Research and Development	$3,200,000	'	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Alternative Minimum Tax	1,300,000	'	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Foreign	1,700,000	'	'
Foreign Tax Credit Carry Forward Valuation Allowance	1,000,000	'	'
Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions, Noncurrent	1,300,000	1,400,000	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Beginning Balance	1,259,000	1,405,000	1,450,000
Income Tax Reconciliation Arizona Tax Law Change	-3,975,000	-9,524,000	-3,126,000
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Research And Development Tax Credit Expiration Date	'2033	'	'
Foreign Tax Credit Carryforward Expiration Dates	'2023	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforward Expiration Dates	'2033	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Research And Development Tax Credit Expiration Date	'2028	'	'
Foreign Tax Credit Carryforward Expiration Dates	'2020	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforward Expiration Dates	'2015	'	'
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards	333,500,000	'	'
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Valuation Allowance, Total	3,100,000	'	'
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards	700,000	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Valuation Allowance, Total	$200,000	'	'

Net_Income_Per_Share_Details

Net Income Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Numerator:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to common stockholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$55,517	$62,939	$41,035
Net income allocated to participating securities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-46	-54	-29
Numerator for basic net income per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	55,471	62,885	41,006
Dividends on Series A Preferred Stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,000	1,692	0
Numerator for diluted net income per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$62,471	$64,577	$41,006
Denominator:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Denominator for basic net income per share - weighted average outstanding common shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	76,909	74,239	72,164
Dilutive effect of warrants	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	1,272	1,395
Dilutive effect of stock options	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	6	0
Dilutive effect of Series A Preferred Stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10,602	2,665	0
Denominator for diluted net income per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	87,511	78,182	73,559
Net income per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$0.18	$0.19	$0.18	$0.17	$0.20	$0.24	$0.24	$0.17	$0.72	$0.85	$0.57
Net income per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.18	$0.19	$0.18	$0.17	$0.19	$0.23	$0.23	$0.16	$0.71	$0.83	$0.56

Net_Income_Per_Share_Details_T

Net Income Per Share (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'
Net Income Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0.9	0.5	'
Subsequent Event Stock Options Issued	0.2	'	'
Warrant [Member]	'	'	'
Net Income Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0.4	0.3	5.8
Employee Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Net Income Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	5.2	4.3	4.6
Subsequent Event Restricted Stock Units Issued	0.4	'	'

Selected_Quarterly_Information2

Selected Quarterly Information (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$98,207	$100,569	$94,684	$89,189	$92,284	$100,441	$97,321	$93,474	$382,649	$383,520	$384,307
Operating income	26,257	29,451	28,848	25,338	31,024	31,688	28,274	14,088	109,894	105,074	77,001
Net income	$15,585	$16,585	$15,413	$14,934	$16,711	$17,839	$17,663	$12,418	$62,517	$64,631	$41,035
Net income per common share - basic (in dollars per share)	$0.18	$0.19	$0.18	$0.17	$0.20	$0.24	$0.24	$0.17	$0.72	$0.85	$0.57
Net income per common share -diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.18	$0.19	$0.18	$0.17	$0.19	$0.23	$0.23	$0.16	$0.71	$0.83	$0.56