Iridium Communications (IRDM) 10-Q 20 Apr 21 2021 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Apr. 14, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
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	Large Accelerated Filer
Trading Symbol	IRDM
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Entity Address, Address Line One	1750 Tysons Boulevard
Entity Address, City or Town	McLean
Entity Address, State or Province	VA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	22102
Document Transition Report	false
City Area Code	703
Local Phone Number	703-287-7400
Entity File Number	001-33963
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.001 par value
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.001		$ 0.001
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		133,478,837
Entity Tax Identification Number	26-1344998
NASDAQ/NGS (GLOBAL SELECT MARKET) [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 214,835	$ 237,178
Marketable Securities	7,481	7,548
Accounts receivable, net	59,895	61,151
Inventory	30,015	32,480
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	10,087	9,464
Total current assets	322,313	347,821
Property and equipment, net	2,851,145	2,917,076
Other Assets	47,983	50,548
Intangible assets, net	45,117	45,504
Total assets	3,266,558	3,360,949
Current liabilities:
Short-term secured debt	16,500	16,766
Accounts payable	9,909	14,390
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	34,503	49,504
Deferred revenue	27,405	32,412
Total current liabilities	88,317	113,072
Long-term secured debt, net	1,593,955	1,596,893
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	146,233	155,084
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	50,017	51,258
Other long-term liabilities	24,258	25,203
Total liabilities	1,902,780	1,941,510
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 300,000 shares authorized, 133,476 and 134,056 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively	133	134
Additional paid-in capital	1,152,569	1,160,570
Retained earnings	225,170	275,915
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(14,094)	(17,180)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,363,778	1,419,439
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 3,266,558	$ 3,360,949

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	133,476,000	134,056,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	133,476,000	134,056,000

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Revenue:
Total revenue	$ 146,535	$ 145,287
Operating expenses:
Research and development	2,717	2,444
Selling, general and administrative	22,657	20,825
Depreciation and amortization	75,910	75,944
Total operating expenses	137,519	133,465
Operating income	9,016	11,822
Other expense, net:
Interest expense, net	(22,769)	(26,444)
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt	0	(30,209)
Other income (expense), net	(28)	447
Total other expense, net	(22,797)	(56,206)
Loss before income taxes	(13,781)	(44,384)
Income tax benefit	8,598	12,682
Net loss	$ (5,183)	$ (31,702)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted	135,068	132,645
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	$ (0.04)	$ (0.24)
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss	$ (5,183)	$ (31,702)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(760)	(3,986)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging, net of tax	3,843	(11,888)
OCI, Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Gain (Loss), after Adjustment and Tax	3	0
Comprehensive loss	(2,097)	(47,576)
Services
Revenue:
Total revenue	116,152	115,975
Operating expenses:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	23,207	21,978
Subscriber equipment
Revenue:
Total revenue	23,953	22,263
Operating expenses:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	13,028	12,274
Engineering and support services
Revenue:
Total revenue	$ 6,430	$ 7,049

Consolidated Statements of Chan

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity Statement - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019		131,632
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 1,459,282	$ 132	$ 1,134,048	$ (6,867)	$ 331,969
Stock-based compensation	4,100		4,100
Stock options exercised and awards vested (in shares)		713
Stock options exercised and awards vested	1,171		1,171
Stock withheld to cover employee taxes (in shares)		(118)
Stock withheld to cover employee taxes	(3,184)		(3,184)
Cumulative translation adjustment	(3,986)			(3,986)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging, net of tax	(11,888)			(11,888)
Net Income (Loss)	(31,702)				(31,702)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020		132,227
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	1,413,793	$ 132	1,136,135	(22,741)	300,267
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020		134,056
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2020	1,419,439	$ 134	1,160,570	(17,180)	275,915
Stock-based compensation	5,575		5,575
Stock options exercised and awards vested (in shares)		1,099
Stock options exercised and awards vested	4,394	$ 1	4,393
Stock withheld to cover employee taxes (in shares)		(101)
Stock withheld to cover employee taxes	(4,198)		(4,198)
Repurchases and retirements of common stock (in shares)		(1,578)
Repurchases and retirements of common stock	(59,335)	$ (2)	(13,771)		(45,562)
Cumulative translation adjustment	(760)			(760)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging, net of tax	3,843			3,843
Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax	3			3
Net Income (Loss)	(5,183)				(5,183)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021		133,476
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2021	$ 1,363,778	$ 133	$ 1,152,569	$ (14,094)	$ 225,170

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net Income (Loss)	$ (5,183)	$ (31,702)
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(8,851)	(17,150)
Depreciation and amortization	75,910	75,944
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	30,209
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense	4,906	3,698
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs	949	890
Other Operating Activities, Cash Flow Statement	(519)	(64)
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable	1,535	3,600
Increase (Decrease) in Inventories	2,561	2,300
Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets	(634)	(688)
Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Assets	967	2,769
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable	(4,233)	2,320
Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities and Other Operating Liabilities	(9,474)	(20,117)
Increase (Decrease) in Interest Payable, Net	(46)	(7,071)
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue	(6,156)	(6,607)
Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Liabilities	(966)	2,482
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	50,766	40,813
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(9,417)	(9,487)
Net cash used in investing activities	(9,417)	(9,487)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from Issuance of Secured Debt	0	202,000
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Debt, Maturing in Three Months or Less	(4,125)	0
Repayments of Unsecured Debt	0	(383,451)
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs	0	2,562
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	4,394	1,172
Payment, Tax Withholding, Share-based Payment Arrangement	4,198	3,184
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	(59,335)	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(63,264)	(186,025)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(428)	(1,573)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(22,343)	(156,272)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period	237,178	223,561
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period	214,835	67,289
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities	21,842	33,366
Income taxes paid, net	520	254
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Property and equipment received but not yet paid for	3,163	2,285
Capitalized amortization of deferred financing costs	29	21
Capitalized stock-based compensation	669	402
Unrealized Gain on Foreign Currency Derivatives, before Tax	$ 3,843
Unrealized Loss on Foreign Currency Derivatives, before Tax		$ (11,888)

Basis of Presentation and Princ

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation	Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation Iridium Communications Inc. (the “Company”) has prepared its condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The accompanying condensed 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 material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that the Company considers necessary for the fair presentation of its results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods covered, and of the financial position of the Company at the date of the interim condensed consolidated balance sheet. The operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to instructions, rules and regulations prescribed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the SEC on February 11, 2021.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”). This guidance amends certain aspects of the accounting for income taxes. Adoption of ASU 2019-12 had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Recent Accounting Developments Not Yet Adopted In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”). The guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. ASU 2020-04 was further amended in January 2021 by ASU 2021-01 which clarified the applicability of certain provisions. Both ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 are currently effective prospectively for all entities through December 21, 2022 when the reference rate replacement activity is expected to have completed. The guidance in ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 is optional and may be elected over time as reference rate reform activities occur. As of March 31, 2021, the Company has not yet modified any contracts as a result of reference rate reform and is evaluating the impact this standard may have on its consolidated financial statements. 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. 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. The carrying values of the following financial instruments approximated their fair values as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020: cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Fair values approximate their carrying values because of their short-term nature. The Level 2 cash equivalents include money market funds, commercial paper and short-term U.S. agency securities. The Company also classifies its fixed income debt investments and derivative financial instruments as Level 2. The Company did not hold any Level 3 assets as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The fair values of the Company’s Level 2 estimates are based upon certain market assumptions and information available to the Company. In determining fair value, the Company uses a market approach utilizing valuation models that incorporate observable inputs such as interest rates, bond yields and quoted prices for similar assets. Leases For new leases, the Company will determine if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. Leases are included as right-of-use (“ROU”) assets within other assets and ROU liabilities within accrued expenses and other liabilities and within other long-term liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Certain leases contain variable contractual obligations as a result of future base rate escalations which are estimated based on observed trends and included within the measurement of present value. The Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for separately. For certain leases, such as teleport network (“TPN”) facilities, the Company elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. Taxes assessed on leases in which the Company is either a lessor or lessee are excluded from contract consideration and variable payments when measuring new lease contracts or remeasuring existing lease contracts. Derivative Financial Instruments The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to manage its exposures to fluctuating interest rate risk on variable rate debt. Its derivatives are measured at fair value and are recorded on the balance sheets within other current and other long-term liabilities. The Company’s derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges, with the effective portion of the changes in fair value of the derivatives recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and subsequently recognized in earnings when the hedged items impact earnings. Any ineffective portion of cash flow hedges would be recorded in current earnings. Within the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, the gains and losses related to cash flow hedges are recognized within interest income (expense), net, as this is the same financial statement line item used for any gains or losses associated with the hedged items. Cash flows from hedging activities are included in operating activities within the company’s consolidated statements of cash flows, which is the same category as the items being hedged. See Note 6 for further information.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Rest

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities	Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents The following table summarizes the Company’s cash and cash equivalents: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Recurring Fair (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 13,668 $ 27,168 Money market funds $ 201,167 $ 208,005 Level 2 Fixed income debt securities $ — $ 2,005 Level 2 Total cash and cash equivalents $ 214,835 $ 237,178 Marketable Securities As of March 31, 2021, the Company's marketable securities consisted of only fixed income debt securities. The amortized cost of these securities amounted to $7.5 million and $7.6 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The estimated fair value of these securities amounted to $7.5 million as of each of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses on these marketable securities were not material as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. All marketable securities are classified as Level 2 investments in the fair value hierarchy. The Company determined that any decline in fair value of these investments is temporary as the Company does not intend to sell these securities and it is not likely that the Company will be required to sell the securities before the recovery of their amortized cost basis. The following table presents the contractual maturities of the Company's fixed income debt securities: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value (In thousands) (In thousands) Mature within one year $ 5,469 $ 5,466 $ 5,530 $ 5,525 Mature after one year and within three years 2,015 2,015 2,024 2,023 Total $ 7,484 $ 7,481 $ 7,554 $ 7,548

Leases

Leases	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Lessor, Operating Leases [Text Block]	Lessor Arrangements Operating leases in which the Company is a lessor consist primarily of hosting agreements with Aireon LLC (“Aireon”) (see Note 1 2 ) and L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (“L3Harris”) for space on the Company’s satellites. These agreements provide for a fee that will be recognized over the life of the satellites, currently estimated to be approximately 12.5 years. Lease income related to these agreements was $5.4 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. Lease income is recorded as hosted payload and other data service revenue within service revenue on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Both Aireon and L3Harris have made payments pursuant to their hosting agreements and the Company expects they will continue to do so. Future income with respect to the Company’s operating leases in which it is the lessor existing at March 31, 2021, exclusive of the $5.4 million recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2021, by year and in the aggregate, is as follows: Year Ending December 31, Amount (in thousands) 2021 $ 16,084 2022 21,445 2023 21,445 2024 21,445 2025 21,445 Thereafter 98,907 Total lease income $ 200,771

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt Term Loan and Revolving Facility On November 4, 2019, pursuant to a loan agreement (as amended to date, the “Credit Agreement”) the Company entered into a $1,450.0 million term loan with Deutsche Bank AG (the “Term Loan”) and an accompanying $100.0 million revolving loan (the “Revolving Facility”). The Term Loan was issued at a price equal to 99.5% of its face value. While it initially bore interest at an annual rate of LIBOR plus 3.75%, with a 1.0% LIBOR floor, it was repriced in January 2021. It now bears interest at an annual rate of LIBOR plus 2.75%, with a 1.0% LIBOR floor, with a maturity date in November 2026. The interest rate on the Revolving Facility remains at LIBOR plus 3.75% with no LIBOR floor, and a maturity date in November 2024. Principal payments, which are payable quarterly and began on June 30, 2020, equal $16.5 million per annum (one percent of the full amount of the loan following the additional $200.0 million drawn on February 7, 2020, as noted below), with the remaining principal due upon maturity. On February 7, 2020, the Company closed on an additional $200.0 million under its Term Loan. On February 13, 2020, the Company used these proceeds, together with cash on hand, to prepay and retire all of the indebtedness outstanding under the senior unsecured notes (the “Notes”), including premiums for early prepayment. The additional amount is fungible with the original $1,450.0 million, having the same maturity date, interest rate and other terms, but was issued at a 1.0% premium to face value. To prepay the Notes, the Company paid a call price equal to the present value at the redemption rate of (i) 105.125% of the $360.0 million principal amount of the Notes plus (ii) all interest due through the first call date in April 2020, representing a total call premium of $23.5 million, plus all accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. As a result of the prepayment, the Company also wrote off the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs, which resulted in a $30.2 million loss on extinguishment of debt. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company reported an aggregate of $1,633.5 million and $1,637.6 million in borrowings under the Term Loan, respectively. These amounts are before $23.0 million and $24.0 million of net unamortized deferred financing costs as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The net principal balance in borrowings in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 amounted to $1,610.5 million and $1,613.6 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, based upon over-the-counter bid levels (Level 2 - market approach), the fair value of the borrowings under the Term Loan due in 2026 was $1,638.6 million and $1,647.9 million, respectively. The Company had not borrowed under the Revolving Facility as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The Credit Agreement restricts the Company’s ability to incur liens, engage in mergers or asset sales, pay dividends, repay subordinated indebtedness, incur indebtedness, make investments and loans, and engage in other transactions as specified in the Credit Agreement, and also contains a mandatory prepayment sweep mechanism with respect to a portion of the Company’s excess cash flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement). The Credit Agreement provides for specified exceptions, baskets measured as a percentage of trailing twelve months of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), and unlimited exceptions in the case of incurring indebtedness and liens and making investments, dividend payments, and payments of subordinated indebtedness, as well as a phase-out of the mandatory excess cash flow prepayments, based on achievement and maintenance of specified leverage ratios. The Company’s mandatory excess cash flow prepayment, as specified in the Credit Agreement, was $12.7 million as of December 31, 2020. This amount will be paid in the second quarter of 2021 and counts towards the Company's required quarterly principal payments. As such, it was classified under current short-term secured debt in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2021. The Credit Agreement permits repayment, prepayment, and repricing transactions. The Credit Agreement contains no financial maintenance covenants with respect to the Term Loan. With respect to the Revolving Facility, the Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain a consolidated first lien net leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of no greater than 6.25 to 1 if more than 35% of the Revolving Facility has been drawn. The Credit Agreement contains other customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of March 31, 2021. Interest on Debt Total interest incurred was $23.8 million and $27.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. To reprice the Term Loan, the Company incurred financing costs of $3.6 million, which were expensed and are included within interest expense on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2021. There were no such costs during the three months ended March 31, 2020. Interest incurred includes amortization of deferred financing fees of $1.0 million and $0.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Interest capitalized was $0.6 million and $0.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Accrued interest was $0.2 million as of each of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

Derivatives Derivatives

Derivatives Derivatives	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	Derivative Financial InstrumentsThe Company is exposed to interest rate fluctuations related to its Term Loan. The Company has reduced its exposure to fluctuations in the cash flows associated with changes in the variable interest rate by entering into offsetting positions through the use of interest rate swap contracts which result in recognizing a fixed interest rate for the portion of the Term Loan. This will reduce the negative impact of increases in the variable rate over the term of the interest rate swap contracts. These financial instruments are not used for trading or other speculative purposes. Historically, the Company has not incurred, and does not expect to incur in the future, any losses as a result of counterparty default. Hedge effectiveness of interest rate swap contracts is based on a long-haul hypothetical derivative methodology and includes all changes in value. The Company formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing quarterly basis, whether the designated derivative instruments are highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged items. When the hedging instrument is sold, expires, is terminated or is exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting, or is no longer probable, hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively. Interest Rate Swaps On November 27, 2019, the Company executed a long-term interest rate swap (“Swap”) effective through November 2021 to mitigate variability in forecasted interest payments on a portion of the Company’s borrowings under its Term Loan. On the last business day of each month, the Company receives variable interest payments based on one-month LIBOR from the counterparty. The Company also entered into an interest rate swaption agreement (“Swaption”) that, if executed on November 22, 2021, would extend the Company's Swap through November 2026. The Company pays a fixed annual rate of 0.50% for the Swaption and a fixed rate of 1.565% on the Swap. Both the Swap and the Swaption derivative instruments carried a notional amount of $1,000.0 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The Company has designated both the Swap and Swaption as qualifying hedging instruments and accounts for these derivatives as cash flow hedges. At inception, the Swap and Swaption were designated as cash flow hedges for hedge accounting. The unrealized changes in market value are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified into earnings during the period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Over the next 12 months, the Company expects any gains or losses for cash flow hedges reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings to have an immaterial impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. Fair Value of Derivative Instruments As of March 31, 2021, the Company had a current liability balance of $3.8 million and $0.8 million, for the fair value of the Swap and Swaption, respectively, recorded in other current liabilities. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had a current liability balance of $5.2 million and $4.4 million, for the fair value of the Swap and Swaption, respectively, recorded in other current liabilities. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company collectively incurred $2.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively, in net interest expense for the Swap and the Swaption. Gains and losses resulting from fair value adjustments to the Swap and Swaption are recorded within accumulated other comprehensive loss within the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets and reclassified to interest expense on the dates that interest payments become due. Cash flows related to the Swap are included in cash flows from operating activities on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The amount of unrealized loss related to the Swap and Swaption that was recorded in comprehensive loss in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss was $3.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, net of a $1.2 million tax impact, and $11.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, net of a $4.2 million tax impact. There were no gains or losses related to derivative financial instruments during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	7. Stock-Based Compensation In May 2019, the Company’s stockholders approved the amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (as so amended and restated, the “Amended 2015 Plan”), primarily to increase the number of shares available under the plan. The Company registered with the SEC an additional 2,542,664 shares of common stock made available for issuance pursuant to the Amended 2015 Plan, bringing the total to 30,944,912 shares registered. As of March 31, 2021, the remaining aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for future grants under the Amended 2015 Plan was 10,445,256. The Amended 2015 Plan provides for the grant of stock-based awards, including nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), stock appreciation rights and other equity securities to employees, consultants and non-employee directors of the Company and its affiliated entities. The number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the Amended 2015 Plan is reduced by (i) one share for each share of common stock issued pursuant to an appreciation award, such as a stock option or stock appreciation right with an exercise or strike price of at least 100% of the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, and (ii) 1.8 shares for each share of common stock issued pursuant to any stock award that is not an appreciation award, also known as a “full value award.” The Amended 2015 Plan allows the Company to utilize a broad array of equity incentives and performance cash incentives in order to secure and retain the services of its employees, directors and consultants, and to provide long-term incentives that align the interests of its employees, directors and consultants with the interests of the Company’s stockholders. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation at fair value. Stock Option Awards The fair value of stock options is determined at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The stock option awards granted to employees generally (i) have a term of ten years, (ii) vest over four years with 25% vesting after the first year of service and the remainder vesting 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 market value of the underlying shares at the date of grant. The Company historically granted stock options to newly hired and promoted employees, but now almost exclusively utilizes RSUs. The Company did not grant any stock options during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. Restricted Stock Units The RSUs granted to employees for service generally vest over four years, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remainder vesting ratably on a quarterly basis thereafter, subject to continued employment. The RSUs granted to non-employee directors generally vest in full on the first anniversary of the grant date. Some RSUs granted to employees for performance vest upon the completion of defined performance goals, subject to continued employment. The Company’s RSUs are generally classified as equity awards because the RSUs will be paid in the Company’s common stock upon vesting. The related compensation expense is recognized over the service period and is based on the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock and the number of shares expected to vest. The fair value of the awards is not remeasured at the end of each reporting period. The awards do not carry voting rights until they are vested and released in accordance with the terms of the award. Service-Based RSUs The majority of the annual compensation the Company provides to members of its board of directors is paid in the form of RSUs. In addition, certain members of the Company’s board of directors elect to receive the remainder of their annual compensation, or a portion thereof, in the form of RSUs. An aggregate amount of approximately 35,000 and 58,000 service-based RSUs were granted to the Company’s directors as a result of these payments and elections during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, with an estimated grant date fair value of $1.4 million for each period. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company granted approximately 437,000 and 632,000 service-based RSUs, respectively, to its employees, with an estimated aggregate grant date fair value of $18.3 million and $17.1 million, respectively. The Company periodically grants RSUs to non-employee consultants that are generally subject to service-based vesting. The RSUs granted will vest 50% on the first anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining 50% will vest quarterly thereafter through the second anniversary of the grant date. No grants were made to non-employee consultants during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. Performance-Based RSUs In March 2021 and 2020, the Company granted approximately 228,000 and 115,000 annual incentive, performance-based RSUs, respectively, to the Company’s executives and employees (the “Bonus RSUs”), with an estimated grant date fair value of $9.5 million and $3.1 million, respectively. Vesting of the Bonus RSUs is and was dependent upon the Company’s achievement of defined performance goals over the respective fiscal 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. Management believes it is probable that substantially all of the 2021 Bonus RSUs will vest. The level of achievement, if any, of performance goals will be determined by the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors and, if such goals are achieved, the 2021 Bonus RSUs will vest, subject to continued employment, in March 2022. Substantially all of the 2020 Bonus RSUs vested in March 2021 upon the determination of the level of achievement of the performance goals. Additionally, in March 2021 and 2020, the Company granted approximately 110,000 and 144,000 long-term, performance-based RSUs, respectively, to the Company’s executives (the “Executive RSUs”). The estimated aggregate grant date fair value of the Executive RSUs was $4.6 million for the 2021 grants and $3.9 million for the 2020 grants. Vesting of the Executive RSUs is and was dependent upon the Company’s achievement of defined performance goals over a two-year period. The vesting of Executive RSUs will ultimately range from 0% to 150% of the number of shares underlying the Executive RSUs granted based on the level of achievement of the performance goals. If the Company achieves the performance goals, 50% of the number of Executive RSUs earned based on performance will vest on the second anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining 50% will vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, in each case, subject to the executive’s continued service as of the vesting date. During March 2021, the Company awarded approximately 3,000 additional shares related to performance-

Equity Transactions

Equity Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Equity Transactions	Equity Transactions Preferred Stock The Company is authorized to issue 2.0 million shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. The Company previously issued 1.5 million shares of preferred stock, and the remaining 0.5 million authorized shares of preferred stock remain undesignated and unissued as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were no outstanding shares of preferred stock, as all preferred stock was converted in prior periods into common stock according to its terms. Share Repurchases and Retirement In February 2021, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to $300.0 million of its common stock through December 31, 2022. This time frame can be extended or shortened by the Board of Directors. Repurchases, if any, will be made from time to time on the open market at prevailing prices or in negotiated transactions off the market. All shares are to be immediately retired upon repurchase in accordance with the board-approved policy. When treasury shares are retired, the Company’s policy is to allocate the excess of the repurchase price over the par value of shares acquired first, to additional paid-in capital, and then to retained earnings. The portion to be allocated to additional paid-in capital is calculated by applying a percentage, determined by dividing the number of shares to be retired by the number of shares outstanding, to the balance of additional paid-in capital as of the date of retirement.

Revenue

Revenue	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue	Revenue The following table summarizes the Company’s services revenue: Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 (in thousands) Commercial services revenue: Voice and data $ 41,424 $ 42,240 IoT data 24,754 23,766 Broadband 9,434 8,700 Hosted payload and other data 14,790 16,269 Total commercial services revenue 90,402 90,975 Government services revenue 25,750 25,000 Total services revenue $ 116,152 $ 115,975 The following table summarizes the Company’s engineering and support services revenue: Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 (in thousands) Commercial $ 746 $ 997 Government 5,684 6,052 Total engineering and support services revenue $ 6,430 $ 7,049 Approximately 30% and 35% of the Company's accounts receivable balance at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was due from prime contracts or subcontracts with agencies of the U.S. government. The Company's contracts with customers generally do not contain performance obligations with terms in excess of one year. As such, the Company does not disclose details related to the value of performance obligations that are unsatisfied as of the end of the reporting period. The total value of any performance obligations that extend beyond a year are immaterial to the financial statements. The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections results in billed accounts receivable, unbilled receivables (contract assets), and deferred revenue (contract liabilities) on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company bills amounts under its agreed-upon contractual terms at periodic intervals (for services), upon shipment (for equipment), or upon achievement of contractual milestones or as work progresses (for engineering and support services). Billing may occur subsequent to revenue recognition, resulting in unbilled accounts receivable (contract assets). The Company may also receive payments from customers before revenue is recognized, resulting in deferred revenue (contract liabilities). The Company recognized revenue that was previously recorded as deferred revenue in the amounts of $11.6 million and $12.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company has also recorded costs of obtaining contracts expected to be recovered in prepaid expenses and other current assets (contract assets or commissions), that are not separately disclosed on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The commissions are recognized over the estimated prepaid usage period. The contract assets not separately disclosed are as follows: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Contract Assets: Commissions $ 905 $ 993 Other contract costs $ 2,784 $ 2,860

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure	10. Income Tax Benefit Loss before income taxes was $13.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, while the income tax benefit was $8.6 million. The effective tax rate was 63.81% which differed from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the net impact of the Company's U.S. tax credits, benefits from U.S. state tax losses and a discrete tax benefit associated with the stock compensation tax deduction. These favorable impacts were partially offset by the impact of the limitation on the tax deduction for executive compensation and a discrete tax expense associated with an increase to the prior year valuation allowance for state net operating losses. Loss before income taxes was $44.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, while the income tax benefit was $12.7 million. The effective tax rate was 28.53% which differed from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to benefits from U.S. state tax losses and a discrete tax benefit associated with the stock compensation tax deduction. These favorable impacts were partially offset by the impact of the limitation on the tax deduction for executive compensation and additional U.S. tax on international operations.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Net Income (Loss) Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Per Share	Net Loss Per Share The Company calculates basic net loss per share by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. In periods of net income, diluted net income per share takes into account the effect of potential dilutive common shares when the effect is dilutive. Potentially dilutive common shares include (i) common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, and (ii) contingently issuable RSUs that are convertible into shares of common stock upon achievement of certain service and performance requirements. The effect of potentially dilutive common shares is computed using the treasury stock method. The computations of basic and diluted net loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 (in thousands, except per share Numerator: Net loss - basic and diluted $ (5,183) $ (31,702) Denominator: Weighted average common shares - basic and diluted 135,068 132,645 Net loss per share - basic and diluted $ (0.04) $ (0.24) Due to the Company’s net loss position for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, all potential common stock equivalents were anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share. The incremental number of shares underlying stock options and RSUs outstanding with anti-dilutive effects, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, were as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 (in thousands) Anti-dilutive performance-based RSUs 260 187 Anti-dilutive service-based RSUs — 210 Anti-dilutive stock options — 149

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure	Related Party Transactions Aireon LLC and Aireon Holdings LLC The Company's satellite constellation hosts the Aireon ® system, which provides a global air traffic surveillance service through a series of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (“ADS-B”) receivers. The Company formed Aireon in 2011, with subsequent investments from the air navigation service providers (“ANSPs”) of Canada, Italy, Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom, to develop and market this service. Aireon has contracted to pay the Company a fee to host the ADS-B receivers on its constellation, as well as fees for power and data services in connection with the delivery of the air traffic surveillance data. Pursuant to agreements with Aireon, Aireon will pay the Company fees of $200.0 million to host the ADS-B receivers, of which $54.5 million had been paid as of March 31, 2021. Aireon also pays power fees of up to approximately $3.7 million per year (the “Hosting Agreement”), as well as data services fees of approximately $19.8 million per year for the delivery of the air traffic surveillance data (the “Data Services Agreement”). The Aireon ADS-B receivers were activated on an individual basis as the satellite on which the receiver is hosted began carrying traffic. Pursuant to ASU 2016-02, the Company considers the Hosting Agreement an operating lease. The Company recognized $4.0 million of hosting fee revenue for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. The Company recorded power and data service revenue from Aireon of $5.9 million and $6.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Under two services agreements, the Company also provides Aireon with administrative services and support services, the fees for which are paid monthly. Aireon receivables due to the Company under all agreements totaled $2.3 million at each of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

Significant Accounting Polici_2

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”). This guidance amends certain aspects of the accounting for income taxes. Adoption of ASU 2019-12 had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Recent Accounting Developments Not Yet Adopted In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”). The guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. ASU 2020-04 was further amended in January 2021 by ASU 2021-01 which clarified the applicability of certain provisions. Both ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 are currently effective prospectively for all entities through December 21, 2022 when the reference rate replacement activity is expected to have completed. The guidance in ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 is optional and may be elected over time as reference rate reform activities occur. As of March 31, 2021, the Company has not yet modified any contracts as a result of reference rate reform and is evaluating the impact this standard may have on its consolidated financial statements.
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. 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.
Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block]	Leases For new leases, the Company will determine if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. Leases are included as right-of-use (“ROU”) assets within other assets and ROU liabilities within accrued expenses and other liabilities and within other long-term liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Certain leases contain variable contractual obligations as a result of future base rate escalations which are estimated based on observed trends and included within the measurement of present value. The Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for separately. For certain leases, such as teleport network (“TPN”) facilities, the Company elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. Taxes assessed on leases in which the Company is either a lessor or lessee are excluded from contract consideration and variable payments when measuring new lease contracts or remeasuring existing lease contracts.
Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Derivative Financial Instruments The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to manage its exposures to fluctuating interest rate risk on variable rate debt. Its derivatives are measured at fair value and are recorded on the balance sheets within other current and other long-term liabilities. The Company’s derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges, with the effective portion of the changes in fair value of the derivatives recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and subsequently recognized in earnings when the hedged items impact earnings. Any ineffective portion of cash flow hedges would be recorded in current earnings. Within the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, the gains and losses related to cash flow hedges are recognized within interest income (expense), net, as this is the same financial statement line item used for any gains or losses associated with the hedged items. Cash flows from hedging activities are included in operating activities within the company’s consolidated statements of cash flows, which is the same category as the items being hedged. See Note 6 for further information.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Re_2

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Summary of Company's Cash and Cash Equivalents	The following table summarizes the Company’s cash and cash equivalents: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Recurring Fair (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 13,668 $ 27,168 Money market funds $ 201,167 $ 208,005 Level 2 Fixed income debt securities $ — $ 2,005 Level 2 Total cash and cash equivalents $ 214,835 $ 237,178
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	The following table presents the contractual maturities of the Company's fixed income debt securities: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value (In thousands) (In thousands) Mature within one year $ 5,469 $ 5,466 $ 5,530 $ 5,525 Mature after one year and within three years 2,015 2,015 2,024 2,023 Total $ 7,484 $ 7,481 $ 7,554 $ 7,548

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Lease Income [Table Text Block]	Future income with respect to the Company’s operating leases in which it is the lessor existing at March 31, 2021, exclusive of the $5.4 million recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2021, by year and in the aggregate, is as follows: Year Ending December 31, Amount (in thousands) 2021 $ 16,084 2022 21,445 2023 21,445 2024 21,445 2025 21,445 Thereafter 98,907 Total lease income $ 200,771

Revenue (Tables)

Revenue (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Summary of Company's service revenue	The following table summarizes the Company’s services revenue: Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 (in thousands) Commercial services revenue: Voice and data $ 41,424 $ 42,240 IoT data 24,754 23,766 Broadband 9,434 8,700 Hosted payload and other data 14,790 16,269 Total commercial services revenue 90,402 90,975 Government services revenue 25,750 25,000 Total services revenue $ 116,152 $ 115,975
Summary of Company's Engineering and Support Services Revenue [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the Company’s engineering and support services revenue: Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 (in thousands) Commercial $ 746 $ 997 Government 5,684 6,052 Total engineering and support services revenue $ 6,430 $ 7,049
Schedule of recognized contract costs	The contract assets not separately disclosed are as follows: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Contract Assets: Commissions $ 905 $ 993 Other contract costs $ 2,784 $ 2,860

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Ta

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computations of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share	The computations of basic and diluted net loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 (in thousands, except per share Numerator: Net loss - basic and diluted $ (5,183) $ (31,702) Denominator: Weighted average common shares - basic and diluted 135,068 132,645 Net loss per share - basic and diluted $ (0.04) $ (0.24)
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	The incremental number of shares underlying stock options and RSUs outstanding with anti-dilutive effects, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, were as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 (in thousands) Anti-dilutive performance-based RSUs 260 187 Anti-dilutive service-based RSUs — 210 Anti-dilutive stock options — 149

Cash and Cash Equivalents (Deta

Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash	$ 13,668	$ 27,168
Total cash and cash equivalents	214,835	237,178
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling within One Year, Amortized Cost	5,469	5,530
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling after One Through Three Years, Amortized Cost	2,015	2,024
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	7,484	7,554
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Fair Value [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling within One Year, Fair Value	5,466	5,525
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling after One Through ThreeYears, Fair Value	2,015	2,023
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	7,481	7,548
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents:
Money market funds	201,167	208,005
Fixed income debt securities	$ 0	$ 2,005

Leases (Details)

Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Lessor, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating Lease, Lease Income	$ 5,400	$ 5,400
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Remainder of Fiscal Year	16,084
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Two	21,445
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Three	21,445
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Four	21,445
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Five	21,445
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, after Year Five	98,907
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received	$ 200,771
Next Generation Satellites
Lessor, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	12 years 6 months

Debt - Narrative (Details)

Debt - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)Rate	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Feb. 07, 2020USD ($)	Nov. 04, 2019USD ($)Rate
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt instrument face amount				$ 0.010
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt	$ 0	$ (30,209,000)
Unamortized Deferred Financing Costs	23,000,000		$ 24,000,000
Credit Facility Carrying Amount	1,610,500,000		1,613,600,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	1,638,600,000		1,647,900,000
excess cash flow prepayment			12,700,000
First Lien Net Leverage Ratio					6.25
Interest Costs Incurred	23,800,000	27,900,000
Financing Costs	3,600,000
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts	1,000,000	900,000
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 600,000	$ 700,000
Interest Payable			200,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross					$ 100,000,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | Rate	3.75%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal	$ 16,500,000
Credit Facility Drawdown Floor for Application of First Lien Net Leverage Ratio | Rate	35.00%
Term Loan B (Original)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross			$ 1,637,600,000		1,450,000,000
Debt instrument face amount					$ 1,450,000,000
Discount on Debt Issuance - Term Loan B | Rate					99.50%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | Rate	3.75%
Term Loan B (Additional)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross				$ 200,000,000
Refinanced Term Loan B
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 1,633,500,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | Rate	2.75%
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage | Rate	105.125%
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	$ 360,000,000
Redemption Premium	$ 23,500,000
Interest Rate Floor [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | Rate	0.00%
Interest Rate Floor [Member] | Term Loan B (Original)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | Rate	1.00%
Interest Rate Floor [Member] | Refinanced Term Loan B
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | Rate	1.00%

Derivatives Derivatives (Detail

Derivatives Derivatives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Interest Rate Swap [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 1,000		$ 1,000
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	2.7	$ 1
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), after Reclassification and Tax	3.8	11.9
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax	$ 1.2	$ 4.2
Interest Rate Swaption [Member]
Interest Rate Swap [Line Items]
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	0.50%
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	$ 0.8		4.4
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Interest Rate Swap [Line Items]
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	1.565%
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	$ 3.8
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value			$ 5.2

Stock-Based Compensation (Detai

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	May 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, number of additional shares authorized (in shares)	2,542,664
Share-based compensation, number of shares authorized (in shares)	30,944,912
Share-based compensation, number of shares available for grant (in shares)		10,445,256
Share-based compensation, reduction in shares available for issuance by shares issued pursuant to any appreciation award (in shares)		1
Share-based compensation, strike price as a percentage of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant		100.00%
Share-based compensation, reduction in shares available for issuance by shares issued pursuant to any stock award that is not an appreciation award (in shares)		1.8
Employee Stock Option | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, term of award		10 years
Share-based compensation, vesting period		4 years
Share-based compensation, options granted (in shares)		0
Share-based compensation, grant date fair value of stock options		$ 0
Employee Stock Option | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Employee [Member] | Vesting on first anniversary of grant date
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, vesting percentage, year one		25.00%
Employee Stock Option | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Employee [Member] | Vesting on the last day of each calendar quarter
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, vesting percentage, year one		6.25%	6.25%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Vesting on the last day of each calendar quarter | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, vesting percentage, year one		150.00%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonemployee [Member] | Vesting on first anniversary of grant date
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, vesting percentage, year one		50.00%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonemployee [Member] | Vesting on the last day of each calendar quarter
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, vesting percentage, year one		12.50%	12.50%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, vesting period		4 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Employee [Member] | Vesting on first anniversary of grant date
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, vesting percentage, year one		25.00%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Employee [Member] | Vesting on the last day of each calendar quarter
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, vesting percentage, year one		6.25%	6.25%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, grant date fair value of stock options			$ 1.4
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Ratably Vest After		100.00%	100.00%
Performance Based RSU
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, vesting period		1 year	1 year
Performance Based RSU | Executives
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, vesting period		3 years	3 years
Share-based compensation, grant date fair value of stock options		$ 4.6	$ 3.9
Share-based compensation, restricted stock units granted (in shares)		110,000	144,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Accelerated Vesting, Number		3,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Performance Period		2 years	2 years
Performance Based RSU | Executives | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, vesting percentage, year one		0.00%
Performance Based RSU | Executives | Vesting on first anniversary of grant date
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, vesting percentage, year one		50.00%
Performance Based RSU | Executives | Vesting on the last day of each calendar quarter
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, vesting percentage, year one		50.00%
Service Based RSU | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, grant date fair value of stock options		$ 18.3	$ 17.1
Share-based compensation, restricted stock units granted (in shares)		437,000	632,000
Service Based RSU | Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, grant date fair value of stock options		$ 1.4
Share-based compensation, restricted stock units granted (in shares)		35,000	58,000
Performance Based Bonus RSU
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, grant date fair value of stock options		$ 9.5	$ 3.1
Performance Based Bonus RSU | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, restricted stock units granted (in shares)		228,000	115,000

Equity Transactions (Details)

Equity Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Feb. 05, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)				1,500,000
Shares of preferred stock, undesignated and unissued (in shares)	500,000		500,000
Total Authorized Preferred Stock, Number	2,000,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount		$ 300
Treasury Stock, Shares, Retired	1,577,951
Treasury Stock, Retired, Cost Method, Amount	$ 59.2
Treasury Stock, Shares	2,600
Treasury Stock, Value	$ 0.1
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	$ 240.7
Series B Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	500,000		500,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001		$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	500,000		500,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0		0
Series A
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000,000		1,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001		$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	1,000,000		1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0		0

Revenue - Narrative (Details)

Revenue - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Liability, revenue recognized	$ 11.6	$ 12.4
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Prime Contracts with the US Government [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	30.00%		35.00%

Revenue - Summary of Service Re

Revenue - Summary of Service Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 146,535	$ 145,287
Voice and data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	41,424	42,240
Commercial Broadband Services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	9,434	8,700
IoT data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	24,754	23,766
Hosted payload and other data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	14,790	16,269
Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	116,152	115,975
Services | Commercial
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	90,402	90,975
Services | US Government [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	25,750	25,000
Engineering and support services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	6,430	7,049
Engineering and support services | Commercial
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	746	997
Engineering and support services | US Government [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 5,684	$ 6,052

Revenue - Summary of Contract C

Revenue - Summary of Contract Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Commissions
Capitalized Contract Cost [Line Items]
Contract Assets	$ 905	$ 993
Other contract costs
Capitalized Contract Cost [Line Items]
Contract Assets	$ 2,784	$ 2,860

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Loss before income taxes	$ (13,781)	$ (44,384)
Income tax benefit	$ 8,598	$ 12,682
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	21.00%	21.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	63.81%	28.53%

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - S

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net loss - basic and diluted	$ (5,183)	$ (31,702)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted	135,068	132,645
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	$ (0.04)	$ (0.24)

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - A

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Anti-Dilutive Shares (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Performance Based RSU
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	260	187
Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	0	210
Employee Stock Option
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	0	149

Related Party Transactions Rela

Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership stake	35.70%
Aireon Investor Bridge Loan
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments	$ 0.2
Investor Bridge Loan Commitment	10.7
Equity Method Investee | Hosting Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related parties	4	$ 4
Equity Method Investee | Service Agreements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related parties	5.9	$ 6.3
Equity Method Investee | Service, Other [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Due from (to) Related Party	2.3		$ 2.3
Maximum [Member] | Equity Method Investee | Hosting Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related parties	200
Maximum [Member] | Equity Method Investee | Power Agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related parties	3.7
Maximum [Member] | Equity Method Investee | Service Agreements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related parties	19.8
Minimum [Member] | Equity Method Investee | Hosting Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related parties	$ 54.5