Iridium Communications (IRDM) 10-Q 19 Oct 21 2021 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Oct. 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	Sep. 30, 2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
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)		132,202,392
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	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 287,004	$ 237,178
Marketable securities	2,002	7,548
Accounts receivable, net	70,390	61,151
Inventory	23,388	32,480
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	9,786	9,464
Total current assets	392,570	347,821
Property and equipment, net	2,720,281	2,917,076
Other assets	48,761	50,548
Intangible assets, net	44,361	45,504
Total assets	3,205,973	3,360,949
Current liabilities:
Short-term secured debt	16,500	16,766
Accounts payable	10,927	14,390
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	39,794	49,504
Deferred revenue	26,243	32,412
Total current liabilities	93,464	113,072
Long-term secured debt, net	1,584,511	1,596,893
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	134,563	155,084
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	49,187	51,258
Other long-term liabilities	22,467	25,203
Total liabilities	1,884,192	1,941,510
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 300,000 shares authorized, 132,188 and 134,056 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively	132	134
Additional paid-in capital	1,155,414	1,160,570
Retained earnings	176,464	275,915
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(10,229)	(17,180)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,321,781	1,419,439
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 3,205,973	$ 3,360,949

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 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)	132,188,000	134,056,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	132,188,000	134,056,000

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenue:
Total revenue	$ 162,159	$ 151,472	$ 458,613	$ 436,932
Operating expenses:
Research and development	2,815	3,116	8,156	7,940
Selling, general and administrative	25,897	20,631	72,524	62,556
Depreciation and amortization	77,688	75,654	229,266	227,260
Total operating expenses	147,130	138,739	422,973	406,549
Operating income	15,029	12,733	35,640	30,383
Other expense, net:
Interest expense, net	(17,614)	(22,628)	(58,013)	(71,578)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(879)	0	(879)	(30,209)
Other income (expense), net	(81)	205	(225)	332
Total other expense, net	(18,574)	(22,423)	(59,117)	(101,455)
Loss before income taxes	(3,545)	(9,690)	(23,477)	(71,072)
Income tax benefit	1,460	5,685	20,042	22,943
Net loss	$ (2,085)	$ (4,005)	$ (3,435)	$ (48,129)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted	132,869	133,760	133,763	133,177
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	$ (0.02)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.36)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net loss	$ (2,085)	$ (4,005)	$ (3,435)	$ (48,129)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(592)	(1,348)	(171)	(4,241)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging, net of tax	3,040	1,794	7,122	(9,008)
Comprehensive income (loss)	363	(3,559)	3,516	(61,378)
Services
Revenue:
Total revenue	127,774	116,914	365,247	346,239
Operating expenses:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	25,186	23,909	71,784	69,021
Subscriber equipment
Revenue:
Total revenue	26,898	25,120	72,607	67,198
Operating expenses:
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	15,544	15,429	41,243	39,772
Engineering and support services
Revenue:
Total revenue	$ 7,487	$ 9,438	$ 20,759	$ 23,495

Consolidated Statements of Chan

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity Statement - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock, Shares [Member]	Common Stock, Amount	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	13,775			13,775
Stock options exercised and awards vested (in shares)		1,796
Stock options exercised and awards vested	7,787		1	7,786
Stock withheld to cover employee taxes (in shares)		(149)
Stock withheld to cover employee taxes	(4,003)			(4,003)
Cumulative translation adjustment	(4,241)				(4,241)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging, net of tax	(9,008)				(9,008)
Net loss	(48,129)					(48,129)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020		133,279
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2020	1,415,463		133	1,151,606	(20,116)	283,840
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2020		132,526
Beginning Balance at Jun. 30, 2020	1,409,160		133	1,141,744	(20,562)	287,845
Stock-based compensation	5,134			5,134
Stock options exercised and awards vested (in shares)		769
Stock options exercised and awards vested	5,175		0	5,175
Stock withheld to cover employee taxes (in shares)		(16)
Stock withheld to cover employee taxes	(447)			(447)
Cumulative translation adjustment	(1,348)				(1,348)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging, net of tax	1,794				1,794
Net loss	(4,005)					(4,005)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020		133,279
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2020	1,415,463		133	1,151,606	(20,116)	283,840
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	22,129			22,129
Stock options exercised and awards vested (in shares)		1,626
Stock options exercised and awards vested	7,193		1	7,192
Stock withheld to cover employee taxes (in shares)		(131)
Stock withheld to cover employee taxes	(5,390)			(5,390)
Repurchases and retirements of common stock (in shares)		(3,363)
Repurchases and retirements of common stock	(125,106)		(3)	(29,087)		(96,016)
Cumulative translation adjustment	(171)				(171)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging, net of tax	7,122				7,122
Net loss	(3,435)					(3,435)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2021		132,188
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2021	1,321,781		132	1,155,414	(10,229)	176,464
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2021		131,928
Beginning Balance at Jun. 30, 2021	1,314,178		132	1,146,160	(12,677)	180,563
Stock-based compensation	8,150			8,150
Stock options exercised and awards vested (in shares)		348
Stock options exercised and awards vested	2,378		0	2,378
Stock withheld to cover employee taxes (in shares)		(16)
Stock withheld to cover employee taxes	(650)			(650)
Repurchases and retirements of common stock (in shares)		(72)
Repurchases and retirements of common stock	(2,638)		0	(624)		(2,014)
Cumulative translation adjustment	(592)				(592)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging, net of tax	3,040				3,040
Net loss	(2,085)					(2,085)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2021		132,188
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2021	$ 1,321,781		$ 132	$ 1,155,414	$ (10,229)	$ 176,464

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (3,435)	$ (48,129)
Deferred income taxes	(20,521)	(23,600)
Depreciation and amortization	229,266	227,260
Loss on extinguishment of debt	879	30,209
Stock-based compensation (net of amounts capitalized)	20,087	12,560
Amortization of deferred financing fees	3,025	2,724
All other items, net	(525)	548
Accounts receivable	(8,702)	7,958
Inventory	9,408	6,709
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(309)	(986)
Other assets	2,538	2,545
Accounts payable	(5,050)	556
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(2,386)	(14,025)
Interest payable	(69)	(7,072)
Deferred revenue	(8,312)	(16,576)
Other long-term liabilities	(2,757)	(1,544)
Net cash provided by operating activities	213,137	179,137
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(28,016)	(29,267)
Purchase of other investments	(1,128)	0
Maturities of marketable securities	5,400	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(23,744)	(29,267)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under the Term Loan	179,285	202,000
Payments on the Term Loan	(191,660)	(8,250)
Payments on the senior unsecured notes, including extinguishment costs	0	(383,451)
Repurchases of common stock	(125,106)	0
Payment of deferred financing fees	4,053	2,562
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	7,193	7,786
Tax payment upon settlement of stock awards	5,390	4,003
Net cash used in financing activities	(139,731)	(188,480)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash	164	(2,249)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash	49,826	(40,859)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period	237,178	223,561
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period	287,004	182,702
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	56,985	77,047
Income taxes paid, net	1,304	934
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Property and equipment received but not paid	4,941	2,533
Capitalized amortization of deferred financing costs	90	82
Capitalized stock-based compensation	$ 2,042	$ 1,215

Basis of Presentation and Princ

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 Company's operations are conducted through, and its operating assets are owned by, its principal operating subsidiary, Iridium Satellite LLC, Iridium Satellite's immediate parent, Iridium Holdings, LLC, and their subsidiaries. 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 on January 1, 2021 had no impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. 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 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 when the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope (“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 31, 2022 when the reference rate replacement activity is expected to have been 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 September 30, 2021, the Company elected to apply the optional expedient for hedge accounting specifically to the interest rate cap agreement (the "Cap") which was executed in July 2021. This allowed the Company to assume that the index upon which future interest payments on the hedged portion of the Term Loan (see Note 5 ) will be based matches the index on the Cap. Adoption of this practical expedient had no impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements upon adoption. The Company has not yet adopted any other expedients and will continue to evaluate 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 September 30, 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 September 30, 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 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 derivatives (interest rate swap, swaption, Cap) to manage its exposure to fluctuating interest rate risk on variable rate debt. Its derivatives are measured at fair value and are recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current liabilities and other assets. When the Company’s derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the changes in fair value of the derivatives are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss within the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets and subsequently recognized in earnings when the hedged items impact earnings. Any ineffective portion of a derivative's change in fair value will be recognized in earnings in the same period in which the hedged interest payments affect earnings. Within the condensed 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 condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, which is the same category as the item being hedged. See Note 6 for further information.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Rest

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities	Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities Cash and Cash Equivalents The following table presents the Company’s cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Recurring Fair (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 43,323 $ 27,168 Money market funds 243,681 208,005 Level 2 Fixed income debt securities — 2,005 Level 2 Total cash and cash equivalents $ 287,004 $ 237,178 Marketable Securities As of September 30, 2021, the Company's marketable securities consisted of only fixed income debt securities. The amortized cost of these securities amounted to $2.0 million and $7.6 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The estimated fair value of these securities amounted to $2.0 million and $7.5 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses on these marketable securities were not material as of September 30, 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 as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value (In thousands) (In thousands) Mature within one year $ 2,002 $ 2,002 $ 5,530 $ 5,525 Mature after one year and within three years — — 2,024 2,023 Total $ 2,002 $ 2,002 $ 7,554 $ 7,548

Leases

Leases	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 12 ) 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 September 30, 2021 and 2020 and $16.1 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 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. The following table presents future income with respect to the Company’s operating leases in which it is the lessor existing at September 30, 2021, exclusive of the $16.1 million recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, by year and in the aggregate: Year Ending December 31, Amount (In thousands) 2021 $ 5,361 2022 21,445 2023 21,445 2024 21,445 2025 21,445 Thereafter 98,907 Total lease income $ 190,048

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 “Original Term Loan”) and an accompanying $100.0 million revolving loan (the “Revolving Facility”). The Original Term Loan was issued at a price equal to 99.5% of its face value. On February 7, 2020, the Company closed on an additional $200.0 million under its Credit Agreement for a total borrowing of $1,650.0 million (as expanded, the “Term Loan”). The additional amount is fungible with the Original Term Loan, having the same maturity date, interest rate and other terms, but was issued at a 1.0% premium to face value. The Term Loan initially bore interest at an annual rate of LIBOR plus 3.75%, with a 1.0% LIBOR floor. The Term Loan was initially repriced in January 2021 with a new annual interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.75%, with a 1.0% LIBOR floor. The Term Loan was repriced again in July 2021 for a new annual interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.50%, with a 0.75% LIBOR floor. The maturity date remains unchanged in November 2026. The interest rate on the Revolving Facility remained unchanged 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 principal amount of the Term Loan), with the remaining principal due upon maturity. In July 2021, the Company paid $4.1 million of original issuance costs to reprice the Term Loan. Lenders making up approximately $65.2 million of the Term Loan did not participate in the repricing. Those portions of the Term Loan were replaced by new or existing lenders. This resulted in a $0.9 million loss on extinguishment of debt during the three months ended September 30, 2021, as the Company wrote off the unamortized debt issuance costs related to the lenders who were fully repaid in an exchange of principal. In February 2020, the Company used the proceeds of the additional $200.0 million under the Term Loan noted above, together with cash on hand, to prepay and retire all of the indebtedness outstanding under then outstanding senior unsecured notes (the “Notes”), including premiums for early prepayment. 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 during the three months ended March 31, 2020. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company reported an aggregate of $1,625.3 million and $1,637.6 million in borrowings under the Term Loan, respectively. These amounts do not include $24.2 million and $24.0 million of net unamortized deferred financing costs as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The net principal balance in borrowings in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 amounted to $1,601.0 million and $1,613.6 million, respectively. As of September 30, 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 was $1,627.3 million and $1,647.9 million, respectively. The Company had not borrowed under the Revolving Facility as of September 30, 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. The Credit Agreement provides for specified exceptions, including baskets measured as a percentage of trailing twelve months of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and unlimited exceptions based on achievement and maintenance of specified leverage ratios, for, among other things, incurring indebtedness and liens and making investments, restricted payments for dividends and share repurchases, and payments of subordinated indebtedness. The Credit Agreement 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), which is phased out based on achievement and maintenance of specified leverage ratios. The Company’s mandatory excess cash flow prepayment, as specified in the Credit Agreement, was calculated to be $12.7 million as of December 31, 2020. Lenders have the right to decline payment. As such, the Company paid $4.7 million to lenders who did not decline payment in May 2021. This amount counted towards the Company's required quarterly principal payments through September 30, 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 September 30, 2021. Interest on Debt Total interest incurred includes amortization of deferred financing fees and capitalized interest. To reprice the Term Loan in January 2021 and July 2021, the Company incurred third-party financing costs of $3.6 million and $1.3 million, respectively. These costs were expensed and are included within interest expense on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the respective three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. There were no such costs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. The following table presents the interest and amortization of deferred financing fees related to the Term Loan for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) (In thousands) Total interest incurred $ 18,462 $ 23,658 $ 61,018 $ 75,023 Amortization of deferred financing fees $ 1,148 $ 957 $ 3,115 $ 2,806 Capitalized interest $ 438 $ 861 $ 1,795 $ 2,367 At each of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, accrued interest was $0.2 million.

Derivatives

Derivatives	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	Derivative Financial Instruments The 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 and interest rate cap contracts which result in recognizing a fixed interest rate for a portion of the Term Loan. This will reduce the negative impact of increases in the variable rate over the term of the derivative contracts. These contracts 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 and cap 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, is exercised, no longer qualifies for hedge accounting, is de-designated, 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”) 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 pays a fixed rate of 1.565% per annum on the Swap. The Company also entered into an interest rate swaption agreement (“Swaption”), for which the Company pays a fixed annual rate of 0.50%. At inception, the Swap and Swaption (collectively, the "swap contracts") were designated as cash flow hedges for hedge accounting. The unrealized changes in market value were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and will be reclassified into earnings during the period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Due to the changes made to the Term Loan as a result of the July repricing, in July 2021, the Company elected to de-designate the Swap as a cash flow hedge. Accordingly, as the related interest payments are still probable, the accumulated balance within other comprehensive loss as of the de-designation date will be amortized into earnings through the remaining term, and future changes in the valuation of the Swap will be recorded directly into earnings. As of both September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Swap carried a notional amount of $1,000.0 million, and as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had recorded a current liability balance of $1.0 million and $5.2 million, respectively, in other current liabilities related to the fair value of the Swap. The Swaption carried a notional amount of $1,000.0 million as of December 31, 2020. The Company sold the Swaption in May 2021 for $0.7 million. The Company will continue to pay the fee for the Swaption through November 2021. The Company had a current liability balance of $0.8 million as of September 30, 2021 related to the premium liability associated with the Swaption. As of December 31, 2020, the premium liability was netted with the Swaption, for a fair value of $4.4 million which was recorded in other current liabilities. Over the next 12 months, the Company expects any gains or losses for cash flow hedges amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings to have an immaterial impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. Interest Rate Cap On July 21, 2021, the Company entered into an interest rate cap agreement (the "Cap") beginning in November 2021. The Cap will manage the Company's exposure to interest rate movements on a portion of the Term Loan after the Swap expires. The Cap provides the right to receive payment if one-month LIBOR exceeds the contractual rate of 1.5%. Beginning in December 2021, the Company will pay a fixed monthly premium based on an annual rate of 0.31% for the Cap. The Cap carried a notional amount of $1,000.0 million as of September 30, 2021. The Cap is designed to mirror the terms of the Term Loan and to be highly effective at offsetting the cash flows being hedged. The Company designated the Cap as a cash flow hedge of the variability of the LIBOR-based interest payments on the Term Loan. The effective portion of the Cap's change in fair value will be recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Any ineffective portion of the Cap's change in fair value will be recorded in current earnings as interest expense. Fair Value of Derivative Instruments As of September 30, 2021, the Company had an asset balance of $2.3 million recorded in other assets for the fair value of the Cap. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company collectively incurred $1.8 million and $6.6 million, respectively, in net interest expense for the swap contracts and the Cap. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company collectively incurred $2.7 million and $6.4 million, respectively, in net interest expense for the swap contracts. Gains and losses resulting from fair value adjustments to the Cap 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 derivative contracts are included in cash flows from operating activities on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The following table presents the amount of unrealized gain or loss and related tax impact the Company recorded in comprehensive loss in its condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) (In thousands) Unrealized gain (loss), net of tax $ 3,040 $ 1,794 $ 7,122 $ (9,008) Tax (benefit) 1,010 630 2,222 (3,159)

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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”). As of September 30, 2021, the remaining aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for future grants under the Amended 2015 Plan was 10,538,835. 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 nine-months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. Option Summary The following tables summarize the Company's stock option activity for the nine-months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Shares Weighted- Weighted- Aggregate (In thousands, except years and per share data) Options outstanding at December 31, 2020 2,554 $ 9.10 3.94 $ 77,182 Cancelled or expired (1) 7.78 Exercised (844) 8.46 $ 31,171 Forfeited (11) 15.45 Options outstanding at September 30, 2021 1,698 $ 9.38 3.54 $ 51,755 Options exercisable at September 30, 2021 1,592 $ 8.73 3.31 $ 49,552 Options exercisable and expected to vest at September 30, 2021 1,698 $ 9.37 3.54 $ 51,732 Shares Weighted- Weighted- Aggregate (In thousands, except years and per share data) Options outstanding at December 31, 2019 4,153 $ 8.78 4.03 $ 65,887 Cancelled or expired (4) 20.17 Exercised (944) 8.28 $ 18,654 Forfeited (13) 18.57 Options outstanding at September 30, 2020 3,192 $ 8.87 3.58 $ 53,332 Options exercisable at September 30, 2020 2,927 $ 8.13 3.24 $ 51,074 Options exercisable and expected to vest at September 30, 2020 3,187 $ 8.86 3.57 $ 53,297 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 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. RSU Summary The following tables summarize the Company’s RSU activity for the nine-months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: RSUs Weighted- (In thousands) Outstanding at December 31, 2020 2,664 $ 18.96 Granted 843 41.67 Forfeited (90) 28.41 Released (782) 21.22 Outstanding at September 30, 2021 2,635 $ 25.23 Vested and unreleased at September 30, 2021 (1) 860 RSUs Weighted- (In thousands) Outstanding at December 31, 2019 2,702 $ 14.62 Granted 1,030 26.75 Forfeited (61) 16.81 Released (852) 15.73 Outstanding at September 30, 2020 2,819 $ 18.67 Vested and unreleased at September 30, 2020 (1) 802 (1) These RSUs were granted to the Company's board of directors as a part of their compensation for board and committee service, as detailed below, and had vested but had not yet been issued and released, pursuant to the terms of the applicable compensation program. Service-Based RSUs The majority of the annual compensation the Company provides to non-employee members of its board of directors is paid in the form of RSUs. In addition, certain such 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 39,000 and 58,000 service-based RSUs were granted to the Company’s non-employee directors as a result of these payments and elections during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, with an estimated grant date fair value of $1.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company granted approximately 461,000 and 683,000 service-based RSUs, respectively, to its employees, with an estimated aggregate grant date fair value of $19.2 million and $18.3 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company granted approximately 2,000 and 10,000 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. The estimated aggregate grant date fair value of the RSUs granted to non-employee consultants during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively. 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 and 2020, the Company awarded additional shares underlying performance-based RSUs to the Company’s executives for over-achievement of performance targets related to the Executive RSUs originally awarded in 2019 and 2018 in the amounts of 3,000 shares and 20,000 shares, respectively.

Equity Transactions

Equity Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 and converted 1.5 million shares of preferred stock. The remaining 0.5 million authorized shares of preferred stock remain undesignated and unissued as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were no outstanding shares of preferred stock. 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 are made from time to time on the open market at prevailing prices or in negotiated transactions off the market. All shares are 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue	Revenue The following table summarizes the Company’s services revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) (In thousands) Commercial services revenue: Voice and data $ 45,737 $ 42,736 $ 130,444 $ 126,748 IoT data 30,040 25,410 82,018 71,802 Broadband 11,461 9,120 31,531 26,339 Hosted payload and other data 14,649 14,511 43,867 46,213 Total commercial services revenue 101,887 91,777 287,860 271,102 Government services revenue 25,887 25,137 77,387 75,137 Total services revenue $ 127,774 $ 116,914 $ 365,247 $ 346,239 The following table summarizes the Company’s engineering and support services revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) (In thousands) Commercial $ 1,249 $ 1,127 $ 2,978 $ 3,264 Government 6,238 8,311 17,781 20,231 Total engineering and support services revenue $ 7,487 $ 9,438 $ 20,759 $ 23,495 Approximately 24% and 35% of the Company's accounts receivable balance at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, 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 is 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 $10.6 million and $9.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $32.4 million and $33.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 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 usage period. The following table presents contract assets not separately disclosed as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Contract Assets: Commissions $ 1,066 $ 993 Other contract costs 2,634 2,860

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure	Income Tax BenefitLoss before income taxes was $3.5 million and $23.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively while the income tax benefit was $1.5 million and $20.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. The effective tax rates were 46.1% and 90.4% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three-month period ended September 30, 2021 differed from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the net impact of a discrete tax benefit associated with the stock compensation tax deduction and the decrease to the prior year valuation allowance for state net operating losses, offset by a discrete state tax expense associated with state apportionment changes. The effective tax rate for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021 differed from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the net impact of the discrete state tax benefit associated with state apportionment changes, a stock compensation tax deduction and the Company's U.S. tax credits. Loss before income taxes was $9.7 million and $71.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, while the income tax benefit was $5.7 million and $22.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. The effective tax rates were 58.8% and 32.6% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 differed from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the net impact of the tax benefit from U.S. state tax losses, the discrete tax benefits associated with the stock compensation tax deduction, and a decrease in the prior year valuation allowance for state net operating losses, offset by the discrete tax expense associated with the Company’s U.S. tax credits.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Net Income (Loss) Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 RSUs granted to members of the Company’s board of directors contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and therefore are considered to be participating securities in periods of net income. As a result, the calculation of basic and diluted net income per share excludes net income attributable to the unvested RSUs granted to the Company’s board of directors from the numerator and excludes the impact of the unvested RSUs granted to the Company’s board of directors from the denominator. The following table summarizes the computations of basic and diluted net loss per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands, except per share data) Numerator: Net loss - basic and diluted $ (2,085) $ (4,005) (3,435) (48,129) Denominator: Weighted average common shares - basic and diluted 132,869 133,760 133,763 133,177 Net loss per share - basic and diluted $ (0.02) $ (0.03) $ (0.03) $ (0.36) Due to the Company’s net loss position for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, all potential common stock equivalents were anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share. Unvested performance-based RSUs were not included in the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share as certain performance criteria had not yet been satisfied. The following table presents the incremental number of shares underlying stock options and RSUs outstanding with anti-dilutive effects for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) (In thousands) Performance-based RSUs 49 79 101 129 Service-based RSUs 404 435 547 520 Stock options 1,130 1,870 1,236 2,028

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2021. Aireon also pays power fees of up to approximately $3.7 million per year under a hosting agreement (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 under a data transmission 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 months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 and $12.0 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. Aireon receivables under the Hosting Agreement totaled $3.5 million as of September 30, 2021. There were no such receivables as of December 31, 2020. The Company recorded power and data service revenue from Aireon of $5.9 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, and $17.6 million and $18.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 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 these two agreements totaled $2.0 million and $2.3 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. In December 2018, in connection with Aireon's entry into a debt facility, the Company and the other Aireon investors contributed their respective interests in Aireon into a new holding company, Aireon Holdings LLC, and entered into an amended and restated LLC agreement (the “Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement”). Aireon Holdings LLC holds 100% of the membership interests in Aireon LLC, which remains the operating entity. At each of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company's fully diluted ownership stake in Aireon Holdings LLC was approximately 35.7%, subject to certain redemption provisions contained in the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement. In addition, pursuant to a debt facility for Aireon LLC provided by the Company and the other Aireon investors, the Company will participate pro-rata, based on its fully diluted ownership stake, in an investor bridge loan. In December 2020, the Company invested $0.2 million in the Aireon LLC debt facility, which was subsequently repaid in June 2021. The Company’s maximum commitment under the investor bridge loan is $10.7 million.

Significant Accounting Polici_2

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 on January 1, 2021 had no impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. 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 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 when the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope (“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 31, 2022 when the reference rate replacement activity is expected to have been 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 September 30, 2021, the Company elected to apply the optional expedient for hedge accounting specifically to the interest rate cap agreement (the "Cap") which was executed in July 2021. This allowed the Company to assume that the index upon which future interest payments on the hedged portion of the Term Loan (see Note 5 ) will be based matches the index on the Cap. Adoption of this practical expedient had no impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements upon adoption. The Company has not yet adopted any other expedients and will continue to evaluate 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. The carrying values of the following financial instruments approximated their fair values as of September 30, 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 September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
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 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 derivatives (interest rate swap, swaption, Cap) to manage its exposure to fluctuating interest rate risk on variable rate debt. Its derivatives are measured at fair value and are recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current liabilities and other assets. When the Company’s derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the changes in fair value of the derivatives are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss within the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets and subsequently recognized in earnings when the hedged items impact earnings. Any ineffective portion of a derivative's change in fair value will be recognized in earnings in the same period in which the hedged interest payments affect earnings. Within the condensed 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 condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, which is the same category as the item being hedged. See Note 6 for further information.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Re_2

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Summary of Company's Cash and Cash Equivalents	The following table presents the Company’s cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Recurring Fair (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents: Cash $ 43,323 $ 27,168 Money market funds 243,681 208,005 Level 2 Fixed income debt securities — 2,005 Level 2 Total cash and cash equivalents $ 287,004 $ 237,178
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	The following table presents the contractual maturities of the Company's fixed income debt securities as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value (In thousands) (In thousands) Mature within one year $ 2,002 $ 2,002 $ 5,530 $ 5,525 Mature after one year and within three years — — 2,024 2,023 Total $ 2,002 $ 2,002 $ 7,554 $ 7,548

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Lease Income [Table Text Block]	The following table presents future income with respect to the Company’s operating leases in which it is the lessor existing at September 30, 2021, exclusive of the $16.1 million recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, by year and in the aggregate: Year Ending December 31, Amount (In thousands) 2021 $ 5,361 2022 21,445 2023 21,445 2024 21,445 2025 21,445 Thereafter 98,907 Total lease income $ 190,048

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest incurred	The following table presents the interest and amortization of deferred financing fees related to the Term Loan for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) (In thousands) Total interest incurred $ 18,462 $ 23,658 $ 61,018 $ 75,023 Amortization of deferred financing fees $ 1,148 $ 957 $ 3,115 $ 2,806 Capitalized interest $ 438 $ 861 $ 1,795 $ 2,367

Derivative Instruments and Hedg

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)	The following table presents the amount of unrealized gain or loss and related tax impact the Company recorded in comprehensive loss in its condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) (In thousands) Unrealized gain (loss), net of tax $ 3,040 $ 1,794 $ 7,122 $ (9,008) Tax (benefit) 1,010 630 2,222 (3,159)

Stock-Based Compensation (Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Activity	Option Summary The following tables summarize the Company's stock option activity for the nine-months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Shares Weighted- Weighted- Aggregate (In thousands, except years and per share data) Options outstanding at December 31, 2020 2,554 $ 9.10 3.94 $ 77,182 Cancelled or expired (1) 7.78 Exercised (844) 8.46 $ 31,171 Forfeited (11) 15.45 Options outstanding at September 30, 2021 1,698 $ 9.38 3.54 $ 51,755 Options exercisable at September 30, 2021 1,592 $ 8.73 3.31 $ 49,552 Options exercisable and expected to vest at September 30, 2021 1,698 $ 9.37 3.54 $ 51,732	Shares Weighted- Weighted- Aggregate (In thousands, except years and per share data) Options outstanding at December 31, 2019 4,153 $ 8.78 4.03 $ 65,887 Cancelled or expired (4) 20.17 Exercised (944) 8.28 $ 18,654 Forfeited (13) 18.57 Options outstanding at September 30, 2020 3,192 $ 8.87 3.58 $ 53,332 Options exercisable at September 30, 2020 2,927 $ 8.13 3.24 $ 51,074 Options exercisable and expected to vest at September 30, 2020 3,187 $ 8.86 3.57 $ 53,297
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit, Activity	The following tables summarize the Company’s RSU activity for the nine-months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: RSUs Weighted- (In thousands) Outstanding at December 31, 2020 2,664 $ 18.96 Granted 843 41.67 Forfeited (90) 28.41 Released (782) 21.22 Outstanding at September 30, 2021 2,635 $ 25.23 Vested and unreleased at September 30, 2021 (1) 860	RSUs Weighted- (In thousands) Outstanding at December 31, 2019 2,702 $ 14.62 Granted 1,030 26.75 Forfeited (61) 16.81 Released (852) 15.73 Outstanding at September 30, 2020 2,819 $ 18.67 Vested and unreleased at September 30, 2020 (1) 802

Revenue (Tables)

Revenue (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Summary of Company's service revenue	The following table summarizes the Company’s services revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) (In thousands) Commercial services revenue: Voice and data $ 45,737 $ 42,736 $ 130,444 $ 126,748 IoT data 30,040 25,410 82,018 71,802 Broadband 11,461 9,120 31,531 26,339 Hosted payload and other data 14,649 14,511 43,867 46,213 Total commercial services revenue 101,887 91,777 287,860 271,102 Government services revenue 25,887 25,137 77,387 75,137 Total services revenue $ 127,774 $ 116,914 $ 365,247 $ 346,239
Summary of Company's Engineering and Support Services Revenue [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the Company’s engineering and support services revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) (In thousands) Commercial $ 1,249 $ 1,127 $ 2,978 $ 3,264 Government 6,238 8,311 17,781 20,231 Total engineering and support services revenue $ 7,487 $ 9,438 $ 20,759 $ 23,495
Schedule of recognized contract costs	The following table presents contract assets not separately disclosed as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Contract Assets: Commissions $ 1,066 $ 993 Other contract costs 2,634 2,860

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Ta

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computations of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share	The following table summarizes the computations of basic and diluted net loss per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands, except per share data) Numerator: Net loss - basic and diluted $ (2,085) $ (4,005) (3,435) (48,129) Denominator: Weighted average common shares - basic and diluted 132,869 133,760 133,763 133,177 Net loss per share - basic and diluted $ (0.02) $ (0.03) $ (0.03) $ (0.36)
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the incremental number of shares underlying stock options and RSUs outstanding with anti-dilutive effects for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) (In thousands) Performance-based RSUs 49 79 101 129 Service-based RSUs 404 435 547 520 Stock options 1,130 1,870 1,236 2,028

Cash and Cash Equivalents (Deta

Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash	$ 43,323	$ 27,168
Total cash and cash equivalents	287,004	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	2,002	5,530
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling after One Through Three Years, Amortized Cost	0	2,024
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	2,002	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	2,002	5,525
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Rolling after One Through ThreeYears, Fair Value	0	2,023
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	2,002	7,548
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents:
Money market funds	243,681	208,005
Fixed income debt securities	$ 0	$ 2,005

Leases (Details)

Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Lessor, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating Lease, Lease Income	$ 5,400	$ 5,400	$ 16,100	$ 16,100
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Remainder of Fiscal Year	5,361		5,361
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year One	21,445		21,445
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Two	21,445		21,445
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Three	21,445		21,445
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Four	21,445		21,445
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, after Year Five	98,907		98,907
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received	$ 190,048		$ 190,048
Next Generation Satellites
Lessor, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			12 years 6 months

Debt - Narrative (Details)

Debt - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)Rate	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020	Jul. 27, 2021Rate	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)Rate	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)Rate	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)Rate	May 31, 2021USD ($)	Feb. 07, 2020USD ($)	Nov. 04, 2019USD ($)Rate
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross							$ 1,637,600		$ 1,650,000
July Repricing New OID	$ 4,100				$ 4,100
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	65,200
Loss on extinguishment of debt	879	$ 0			879	$ 30,209
Unamortized Deferred Financing Costs	24,200				24,200		24,000
Credit Facility Carrying Amount	1,601,000				1,601,000		1,613,600
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	1,627,300				1,627,300		1,647,900
excess cash flow prepayment							$ 12,700	$ 4,700
First Lien Net Leverage Ratio										6.25
Interest Costs Incurred	18,462	23,658			61,018	75,023
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts	1,148	957			3,115	2,806
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 438	$ 861			$ 1,795	$ 2,367
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross										$ 100,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | Rate					3.75%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal					$ 16,500
Credit Facility Drawdown Floor for Application of First Lien Net Leverage Ratio | Rate	35.00%				35.00%
Term Loan B (Original)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross										$ 1,450,000
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
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			1.00%
Refinanced Term Loan B
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 1,625,300				$ 1,625,300
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | Rate	2.50%			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
Redemption Premium						$ 23,500
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	0.75%			1.00%

Debt - Interest Incurred (Detai

Debt - Interest Incurred (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Payments of Financing Costs	$ 1,300	$ 3,600
Interest Costs Incurred	18,462		$ 23,658	$ 61,018	$ 75,023
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts	1,148		957	3,115	2,806
Interest Costs Capitalized	438		$ 861	1,795	$ 2,367
Interest Payable	$ 200			$ 200		$ 200

Derivatives (Details)

Derivatives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Interest Rate Swap [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	$ 1.8	$ 2.7	$ 6.6	$ 6.4
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Interest Rate Swap [Line Items]
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	1.565%		1.565%		1.565%
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 1,000		$ 1,000		$ 1,000
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	$ 1		$ 1		$ 5.2
Interest Rate Swaption [Member]
Interest Rate Swap [Line Items]
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	0.50%		0.50%		0.50%
Derivative, Notional Amount					$ 1,000
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Liability at Fair Value	$ 0.8		$ 0.8		$ 4.4
Proceeds from sale of derivative			$ 0.7
Interest Rate Cap
Interest Rate Swap [Line Items]
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	0.31%		0.31%
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 1,000		$ 1,000
Derivative, Cap Interest Rate	1.50%		1.50%
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Asset at Fair Value	$ 2.3		$ 2.3

Derivatives - Summary of Unreal

Derivatives - Summary of Unrealized Gains and Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss), net of tax	$ 3,040	$ 1,794	$ 7,122	$ (9,008)
Tax (benefit)	$ 1,010	$ 630	$ 2,222	$ (3,159)

Stock-Based Compensation Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, number of shares available for grant (in shares)	10,538,835
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, vesting period	4 years	4 years
Share-based compensation, options granted (in shares)	0	0
Share-based compensation, grant date fair value of stock options	$ 0	$ 0
Stock Option Contractual Term	10 years	10 years
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%	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%	150.00%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonemployee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, grant date fair value of stock options	$ 0.1	$ 0.2
Granted - restricted stock units	2,000	10,000
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%	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	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%	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 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 Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Accelerated Vesting, Number	3,000	20,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Performance Period	2 years	2 years
Granted - restricted stock units	110,000	144,000
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%	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%	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%	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	$ 19.2	$ 18.3
Granted - restricted stock units	461,000	683,000
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	$ 1.6	$ 1.4
Granted - restricted stock units	39,000	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]
Granted - restricted stock units	228,000	115,000
Outstanding Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted - restricted stock units	843,000	1,030,000

Stock-Based Compensation Activi

Stock-Based Compensation Activity of Company's Common Stock Options (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding
Options outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	2,554	4,153	4,153
Cancelled or Expired (Shares)	(1)	(4)
Exercised (Shares)	(844)	(944)
Exercised (Dollar Value)	$ 31,171	$ 18,654
Forfeited (Shares)	(11)	(13)
Options outstanding, end of period (in shares)	1,698	3,192	2,554	4,153
Options exercisable, end of period (in shares)	1,592	2,927
Options exercisable and expected to vest, end of period (in shares)	1,698	3,187
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Options outstanding, beginning of period - weighted average exercise price per share	$ 9.10	$ 8.78	$ 8.78
Options cancelled or expired - weighted average exercise price per share	7.78	20.17
Options exercised - weighted average exercise price per share	8.46	8.28
Options forfeited - weighted average exercise price per share	15.45	18.57
Options outstanding, end of period - weighted average exercise price per share	9.38	8.87	$ 9.10	$ 8.78
Options exercisable, end of period - weighted average exercise price per share	8.73	8.13
Options exercisable, end of period - weighted average exercise price per share	$ 9.37	$ 8.86
Options outstanding, end of period - weighted average remaining contractual term (years)	3 years 6 months 14 days	3 years 6 months 29 days	3 years 11 months 8 days	4 years 10 days
Options exercisable, end of period - weighted average remaining contractual term (years)	3 years 3 months 21 days	3 years 2 months 26 days
Options exercisable and expected to vest, end of period - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	3 years 6 months 14 days	3 years 6 months 25 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding, end of period - aggregate intrinsic value	$ 51,755	$ 53,332	$ 77,182	$ 65,887
Options exercisable, end of period - aggregate intrinsic value	49,552	51,074
Options exercisable and expected to vest, end of period - aggregate intrinsic value	$ 51,732	$ 53,297

Stock-Based Compensation Outsta

Stock-Based Compensation Outstanding RSUs (Details) - Outstanding Restricted Stock Units - $ / shares shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
RSUs
Outstanding - restricted stock units	2,664	2,702
Granted - restricted stock units	843	1,030
Forfeited - restricted stock units	(90)	(61)
Released - restricted stock units	(782)	(852)
Outstanding - restricted stock units	2,635	2,819
Vested and unreleased restricted stock units	860	802
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Per RSU
Outstanding - weighted average grant date fair value per RSU	$ 18.96	$ 14.62
Granted - weighted average grant date fair value per RSU	41.67	26.75
Forfeited - weighted average grant date fair value per RSU	28.41	16.81
Released - weighted average grant date fair value per RSU	21.22	15.73
Outstanding - weighted average grant date fair value per RSU	$ 25.23	$ 18.67

Equity Transactions (Details)

Equity Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 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	$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)					1,500,000
Shares of preferred stock, undesignated and unissued (in shares)	500,000	500,000		500,000
Total Authorized Preferred Stock, Number	2,000,000	2,000,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount			$ 300
Treasury Stock, Shares, Retired	100,000	3,400,000
Treasury Stock, Retired, Cost Method, Amount	$ 2.6	$ 125.1
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	$ 174.9	$ 174.9
Series B Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	500,000	500,000		500,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001		$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	500,000	500,000		500,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0		0
Series A
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000		1,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001		$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000		1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0		0

Revenue - Narrative (Details)

Revenue - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Liability, revenue recognized	$ 10.6	$ 9.5	$ 32.4	$ 33.5
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk | Prime Contracts with the US Government [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage			24.00%	35.00%

Revenue - Summary of Service Re

Revenue - Summary of Service Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 162,159	$ 151,472	$ 458,613	$ 436,932
Voice and data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	45,737	42,736	130,444	126,748
Commercial Broadband Services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	11,461	9,120	31,531	26,339
IoT data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	30,040	25,410	82,018	71,802
Hosted payload and other data
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	14,649	14,511	43,867	46,213
Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	127,774	116,914	365,247	346,239
Services | Commercial
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	101,887	91,777	287,860	271,102
Services | US Government [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	25,887	25,137	77,387	75,137
Engineering and support services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	7,487	9,438	20,759	23,495
Engineering and support services | Commercial
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	1,249	1,127	2,978	3,264
Engineering and support services | US Government [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 6,238	$ 8,311	$ 17,781	$ 20,231

Revenue - Summary of Contract C

Revenue - Summary of Contract Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Commissions
Capitalized Contract Cost [Line Items]
Contract Assets	$ 1,066	$ 993
Other contract costs
Capitalized Contract Cost [Line Items]
Contract Assets	$ 2,634	$ 2,860

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Loss before income taxes	$ (3,545)	$ (9,690)	$ (23,477)	$ (71,072)
Income tax benefit	$ 1,460	$ 5,685	$ 20,042	$ 22,943
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	21.00%	21.00%	21.00%	21.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	46.10%	58.80%	90.40%	32.60%

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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income (loss) - basic and diluted	$ (2,085)	$ (4,005)	$ (3,435)	$ (48,129)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted	132,869	133,760	133,763	133,177
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	$ (0.02)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.36)

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - A

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Anti-Dilutive Shares (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 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	49	79	101	129
Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	404	435	547	520
Employee Stock Option
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	1,130	1,870	1,236	2,028

Related Party Transactions Rela

Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership stake	35.70%		35.70%		35.70%
Aireon Investor Bridge Loan
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments					$ 0.2
Investor Bridge Loan Commitment	$ 10.7		$ 10.7		10.7
Equity Method Investee | Hosting Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related parties	4	$ 4	12	$ 12
Equity Method Investee | Service Agreements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related parties	5.9	$ 5.9	17.6	$ 18
Equity Method Investee | Administrative and support agreement accounts receivable
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Due from (to) Related Party	2		2		2.3
Equity Method Investee | Hosted Payload Receivables
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Due from (to) Related Party	$ 3.5		3.5		$ 0
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