Intelsat (INTEQ) 20-F 18 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report (foreign) Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	20-F
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	I
Entity Registrant Name	INTELSAT S.A.
Entity Central Index Key	1525773
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	106,789,315

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$123,147	$247,790
Receivables, net of allowance of $35,288 in 2013 and $35,174 in 2014	220,458	236,347
Deferred income taxes	76,315	44,475
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	35,945	33,224
Total current assets	455,865	561,836
Satellites and other property and equipment, net	5,880,264	5,805,540
Goodwill	6,780,827	6,780,827
Non-amortizable intangible assets	2,458,100	2,458,100
Amortizable intangible assets, net	500,545	568,775
Other assets	393,754	414,592
Total assets	16,469,355	16,589,670
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	151,793	145,186
Taxes payable	8,974	9,526
Employee related liabilities	44,815	28,227
Accrued interest payable	161,495	186,492
Current portion of long-term debt	49,000	24,418
Deferred satellite performance incentives	20,957	22,703
Deferred revenue	117,401	84,185
Other current liabilities	72,629	72,840
Total current liabilities	627,064	573,577
Long-term debt, net of current portion	14,762,142	15,262,996
Deferred satellite performance incentives, net of current portion	163,360	153,904
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	967,318	888,239
Deferred income taxes	211,680	202,638
Accrued retirement benefits	262,906	196,856
Other long-term liabilities	217,452	246,127
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 15 and 16)
Shareholders' deficit:
Common shares; nominal value $0.01 per share	1,067	1,060
5.75% Series A mandatory convertible junior non-voting preferred shares; nominal value $0.01 per share; aggregate liquidation preference of $172,500 ($50 per share)	35	35
Paid-in capital	2,117,898	2,099,218
Accumulated deficit	-2,782,741	-3,015,273
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-112,527	-60,393
Total Intelsat S.A. shareholders' deficit	-776,268	-975,353
Noncontrolling interest	33,701	40,686
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	$16,469,355	$16,589,670

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Receivables, allowance	$35,174	$35,288
Common shares, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred shares, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred shares, aggregate liquidation preference	$172,500	$172,500
Preferred shares, aggregate liquidation preference, per share	$50	$50

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$619,122	$608,625	$615,749	$628,890	$642,848	$651,844	$653,803	$655,127	$2,472,386	$2,603,623	$2,610,152
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)									348,348	375,769	415,900
Selling, general and administrative									197,407	288,467	204,025
Depreciation and amortization									679,351	736,567	764,903
Gain on satellite insurance recoveries										-9,618
Total operating expenses									1,225,106	1,391,185	1,384,828
Income from operations	292,707	310,811	315,060	328,700	333,394	315,948	251,181	311,914	1,247,280	1,212,438	1,225,324
Interest expense, net									944,787	1,122,261	1,310,783
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	-40,400						-366,800		-40,423	-368,089	-73,542
Other expense, net									-2,593	-4,918	-10,128
Income (loss) before income taxes									259,477	-282,830	-169,129
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes									22,971	-30,837	-19,631
Net income (loss)	17,220	68,620	67,771	82,896	73,615	88,574	-407,266	-6,916	236,506	-251,993	-149,498
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest									-3,974	-3,687	-1,639
Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat	16,194	67,624	66,768	81,946	72,631	87,798	-408,305	-7,804	232,532	-255,680	-151,137
Cumulative preferred dividends									-9,917	-10,196
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$16,194	$67,624	$56,851	$81,946	$72,631	$87,798	($418,501)	($7,804)	$222,615	($265,876)	($151,137)
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to Intelsat S.A.:
Basic	$0.15	$0.63	$0.53	$0.77	$0.69	$0.83	($4.19)	($0.09)	$2.09	($2.70)	($1.82)
Diluted	$0.14	$0.58	$0.53	$0.70	$0.62	$0.75	($4.19)	($0.09)	$1.99	($2.70)	($1.82)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$236,506	($251,993)	($149,498)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of unrecognized prior service credits included in net periodic pension costs, net of tax	-109	-107	-110
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss included in net periodic pension costs, net of tax	6,510	12,320	5,178
Actuarial gain (loss) arising during the year, net of tax	-58,403	45,070	-12,356
Unrealized gains on investments, net of tax	258	629	388
Reclassification adjustment for realized loss (gain) on investments, net of tax	-390	123
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-52,134	58,035	-6,900
Comprehensive income (loss)	184,372	-193,958	-156,398
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-3,974	-3,687	-1,639
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.	$180,398	($197,645)	($158,037)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Deficit (USD $)		Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Intelsat S.A. Shareholders' Deficit [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	[1]			$832	$1,520,267	($2,608,456)	($111,528)	($1,198,885)	$50,926
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	[1]			83,200,000
Net Income (loss)		-151,137				-151,137		-151,137	3,582
Mark to market valuation adjustment for redeemable noncontrolling interest					-7,663			-7,663
Share-based compensation					6,825			6,825
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests									-8,838
Postretirement/pension liability adjustment, net of tax							-7,288	-7,288
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		388					388	388
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012				832	1,519,429	-2,759,593	-118,428	-1,357,760	45,670
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012				83,200,000
Net Income (loss)		-255,680				-255,680		-255,680	3,687
Initial public offering, net of costs		542,796	35	222	542,539			542,796
Initial public offering, net of costs (in Shares)			3,500,000	22,200,000
Change in classification of certain equity awards		18,899			18,899			18,899
Share-based compensation		28,553		6	28,547			28,553
Share-based compensation (in Shares)				600,000
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests		-8,671							-8,671
Declaration of preferred stock dividend		-10,196			-10,196			-10,196
Postretirement/pension liability adjustment, net of tax		57,283					57,283	57,283
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		629					752	752
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013		-975,353	35	1,060	2,099,218	-3,015,273	-60,393	-975,353	40,686
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013			3,500,000	106,000,000
Net Income (loss)		232,532				232,532		232,532	3,974
Share-based compensation		26,389		7	26,382			26,389
Share-based compensation (in Shares)				700,000
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests		-8,744							-8,744
Declaration of preferred stock dividend		-9,917			-9,917			-9,917
Acquisition of non-controlling interests					2,215			2,215	-2,215
Postretirement/pension liability adjustment, net of tax		-52,002					-52,002	-52,002
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		258					-132	-132
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014		($776,268)	$35	$1,067	$2,117,898	($2,782,741)	($112,527)	($776,268)	$33,701
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014			3,500,000	106,700,000
[1]	Common shares and paid-in capital amounts reflect the retroactive impact of the former Class A and Class B share reclassification into common shares and the share splits related to our Initial Public Offering. See Note 4-Net Income (Loss) per Share for further discussion.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha1

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Deficit (Parenthetical) (Intelsat S.A. Shareholders' Deficit [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Intelsat S.A. Shareholders' Deficit [Member]
Postretirement/pension liability adjustment, tax	($30.30)	$34.90	($1.90)
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax	$0.10	$0.40	$0.20

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$236,506	($251,993)	($149,498)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	679,351	736,567	764,903
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,306	29,599	8,911
Foreign currency transaction loss	6,560	6,003	7,329
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets	927	338	-12,647
Gain on satellite insurance recoveries		-9,618
Share-based compensation	22,494	25,289	6,825
Deferred income taxes	-12,646	-65,347	-61,889
Amortization of discount, premium, issuance costs and related costs	22,256	46,026	57,305
Interest paid-in-kind			4,949
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	40,423	368,089	73,542
Unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments	-22,790	-19,740	-9,004
Termination of third-party commitment costs and expenses			10,000
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service credits for retirement benefits	10,147	19,613	14,506
Other non-cash items	166	234	-4,382
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables	1,382	16,269	-3,559
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-22,331	-6,117	-1,086
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	7,598	-23,730	6,495
Accrued interest payable	-24,997	-178,796	9,124
Deferred revenue	108,545	49,924	124,458
Accrued retirement benefits	-26,019	-29,732	-26,627
Other long-term liabilities	16,292	4,014	1,655
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,046,170	716,892	821,310
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)	-645,424	-600,792	-866,016
Proceeds from sale of building, net of fees			82,415
Proceeds from insurance settlements		487,930
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds		-19,199
Other investing activities	174	-2,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-645,250	-134,061	-783,601
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	-610,418	-6,904,162	-2,474,811
Repayment of notes payable to former shareholders		-868	-1,683
Payment of premium on early extinguishment of debt	-21,250	-311,224	-65,920
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	135,000	6,254,688	2,451,521
Debt issuance costs		-84,845	-27,384
Proceeds from initial public offering		572,500
Stock issuance costs		-26,683
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	-9,919	-5,235
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives	-19,774	-17,503	-15,969
Repurchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest			-8,744
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest	12,209	12,209	12,209
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	-8,744	-8,671	-8,838
Other financing activities	3,893	3,271
Net cash used in financing activities	-519,003	-516,523	-139,619
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-6,560	-6,003	-7,329
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-124,643	60,305	-109,239
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	247,790	187,485	296,724
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	123,147	247,790	187,485
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	970,345	1,283,439	1,255,308
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	37,805	38,784	33,103
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Capitalization of deferred satellite performance incentives	27,681		82,959
Accrued capital expenditures	80,621	66,578	78,494
Restricted cash received			23,901
Restricted cash paid			($118,032)

Background_of_Company

Background of Company	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Background of Company	Note 1 Background of Company
	Intelsat S.A. (the “Company”, “we”,” us” or “our”) provides satellite communications services worldwide through a global communications network of 50 satellites in orbit as of December 31, 2014 and ground facilities related to the satellite operations and control, and teleport services.
	Initial Public Offering
	On April 23, 2013, we completed our initial public offering, in which we issued 22,222,222 common shares, and a concurrent public offering, in which we issued 3,450,000 5.75% Series A mandatory convertible junior non-voting preferred shares (the “Series A Preferred Shares”), at public offering prices of $18.00 and $50.00 per share, respectively (the initial public offering together with the concurrent public offering, the “IPO”) for total proceeds of $572.5 million (or approximately $550 million after underwriting discounts and commissions).

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Note 2 Significant Accounting Policies
	(a) Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Intelsat S.A., its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and variable interest entities (“VIE”) of which we are the primary beneficiary. We are the primary beneficiary of one VIE, as more fully described in Note 10—Investments, and accordingly, we include in our consolidated financial statements the assets and liabilities and results of operations of the entity, even though we may not own a majority voting interest. We use the equity method to account for our investments in entities where we exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies but do not retain control under either the voting interest model (generally 20% to 50% ownership interest) or the variable interest model. We have eliminated all significant intercompany accounts and transactions.
	(b) Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods, and the disclosures of contingent liabilities. Accordingly, ultimate results could differ from those estimates.
	(c) Revenue Recognition
	We earn revenue from providing satellite services and managed services to customers. We enter into contracts with customers to provide satellite transponders and transponder capacity and, in certain cases, earth stations and teleport facilities, for periods typically ranging from one year to the life of the satellite. Our revenue recognition policies are as follows:
	Satellite Utilization Charges. We generally recognize revenues on a straight-line basis over the term of the related customer contract unless collectability is not reasonably assured. Revenues from occasional use services are recognized as the services are performed. We have certain obligations, including providing spare or substitute capacity if available, in the event of satellite service failure under certain long-term agreements. We generally are not obligated to refund satellite utilization payments previously made.
	Satellite Related Consulting and Technical Services. We recognize revenue from the provision of consulting services as those services are performed. We recognize revenue for consulting services with specific deliverables, such as Transfer Orbit Support Services or training programs, upon the completion of those services.
	Tracking, Telemetry and Commanding (“TT&C”). We earn TT&C services revenue from providing operational services to other satellite owners and from certain customers on our satellites. TT&C agreements entered into in connection with our satellite utilization contracts are typically for the period of the related service agreement. We recognize this revenue ratably over the term of the service agreement.
	In-Orbit Backup Services. We provide back-up transponder capacity that is held on reserve for certain customers on agreed-upon terms. We recognize revenues for in-orbit protection services ratably over the term of the related agreement.
	Revenue Share Arrangements. We recognize revenues under revenue share agreements for satellite-related services either on a gross or net basis in accordance with the principal versus agent considerations topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) or (the “Codification”) which provides guidance and specifies when an entity should report revenue gross as a principal versus net as an agent, depending on the nature of the specific contractual relationship.
	Construction Program Management. Construction program management arrangements that extend beyond one year are accounted for in accordance with the Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts topic of the Codification. We generally account for long-term, fixed price, development and production contracts under the percentage of completion method. We measure progress towards contract completion using the cost-to-cost method.
	We may sell these products or services individually or in some combination to our customers. When these products and services are sold together, we account for the multiple elements under FASB ASC Topic 605-25, Revenue Recognition-Multiple Element Arrangements (“FASB ASC 605-25”). FASB ASC 605-25 provides guidance on accounting for arrangements that involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services and/or rights to use assets. We allocate revenue for transactions or collaborations that include multiple elements to each unit of accounting based on each element’s relative selling price, and recognize revenue for each unit of accounting when the applicable revenue recognition criteria have been met.
	(d) Fair Value Measurements
	We estimate the fair value of our financial instruments using available market information and valuation methodologies. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these financial instruments.
	FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (“FASB ASC 820”) defines fair value as the price that would be received in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FASB ASC 820 requires disclosure of the extent to which fair value is used to measure financial assets and liabilities, the inputs utilized in calculating valuation measurements, and the effect of the measurement of significant unobservable inputs on earnings, or changes in net assets, as of the measurement date. FASB ASC 820 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy based upon the transparency of inputs utilized in the measurement and valuation of financial assets or liabilities as of the measurement date. We apply fair value accounting for all financial assets and liabilities and non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis.
	The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques into three levels as follows:
		•		Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
		•		Level 2—quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation; and
		•		Level 3—unobservable inputs based upon the reporting entity’s internally developed assumptions which market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
	(e) Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, which are generally time deposits with banks and money market funds. The carrying amount of these investments approximates market value.
	(f) Receivables and Allowances for Doubtful Accounts
	We provide satellite services and extend credit to numerous customers in the satellite communication, telecommunications and video markets. We monitor our exposure to credit losses and maintain allowances for doubtful accounts and anticipated losses. We believe we have adequate customer collateral and reserves to cover our exposure. If we determine that the collection of payments is not reasonably assured at the time the respective service is provided, we defer recognition of the revenue until we believe collection is reasonably assured or the payment is received.
	(g) Satellites and Other Property and Equipment
	Satellites and other property and equipment are stated at historical cost, or in the case of certain satellites acquired, the fair value at the date of acquisition. Capitalized costs consist primarily of the costs of satellite construction and launch, including launch insurance and insurance during the period of in-orbit testing, the net present value of performance incentives expected to be payable to the satellite manufacturers (dependent on the continued satisfactory performance of the satellites), costs directly associated with the monitoring and support of satellite construction, and interest costs incurred during the period of satellite construction.
	We depreciate satellites and other property and equipment on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:
			Years
	Buildings and improvements			10 - 40
	Satellites and related costs			11 - 17
	Ground segment equipment and software			4 - 15
	Furniture and fixtures and computer hardware			4 - 12
	Leasehold improvements (1)			2 - 12
	-1	Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the remaining lease term.
	(h) Other Assets
	Other assets consist of investments in certain equity securities, unamortized debt issuance costs, long-term deposits, long-term receivables and other miscellaneous deferred charges and long-term assets. Debt issuance costs represent our costs incurred to secure debt financing, which are amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the life of the related indebtedness.
	(i) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	We account for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (“FASB ASC 350”). Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date over the fair values of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill and certain other intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but are tested on an annual basis for impairment during the fourth quarter, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. See Note 11—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
	Intangible assets arising from business combinations are initially recorded at fair value. We record other intangible assets at cost. We amortize intangible assets with determinable lives (consisting of backlog and customer relationships) based on the expected pattern of consumption. We review these intangible assets for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. See Note 11—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
	(j) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	We review long-lived assets, including property and equipment and acquired intangible assets with estimable useful lives, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such an asset may not be recoverable. These indicators of impairment can include, but are not limited to, the following:
		•		satellite anomalies, such as a partial or full loss of power;
		•		under-performance of an asset compared to expectations; and
		•		shortened useful lives due to changes in the way an asset is used or expected to be used.
	The recoverability of an asset to be held and used is determined by comparing the carrying amount to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, we record an impairment charge in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value, which we determine by either a quoted market price, if any, or a value determined by utilizing discounted cash flow techniques.
	(k) Income Taxes
	We account for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740—Income Taxes. We are subject to income taxes in the United States as well as a number of other foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in the calculation of our tax provision and the resultant tax liabilities and in the recoverability of our deferred tax assets that arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenue and expense and net operating loss and credit carryforwards.
	We assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets can be recovered. A valuation allowance is required when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. We evaluate the recoverability of our deferred tax assets based in part on the existence of deferred tax liabilities that can be used to realize the deferred tax assets.
	During the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We evaluate our tax positions to determine if it is more likely than not that a tax position is sustainable, based solely on its technical merits and presuming the taxing authorities have full knowledge of the position and access to all relevant facts and information. When a tax position does not meet the more likely than not standard, we record a liability or contra asset for the entire amount of the unrecognized tax benefit. Additionally, for those tax positions that are determined more likely than not to be sustainable, we measure the tax position at the largest amount of benefit more likely than not (determined by cumulative probability) to be realized upon settlement with the taxing authority.
	(l) Foreign Currency Translation
	Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar, since substantially all customer contracts, capital expenditure contracts and operating expense obligations are denominated in U.S. dollars. Transactions not denominated in U.S. dollars have been translated using the spot rates of exchange at the dates of the transactions. We recognize differences on exchange arising on the settlement of the transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar in the consolidated statement of operations.
	(m) Comprehensive Income
	Comprehensive income consists of net income or loss and other gains and losses affecting shareholders’ equity that, under U.S. GAAP, are excluded from net income or loss. Such items consist primarily of the change in the market value of available-for-sale securities and pension liability adjustments.
	(n) Share-Based Compensation
	Compensation cost is recognized based on the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“FASB ASC 718”), for all share-based awards granted.
	Awards are measured at the grant date based on the fair value as calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for share options, a Monte Carlo simulation model for awards with market conditions, or the closing market price at the grant date for awards of shares or restricted shares units. For share-based awards recognized as liability awards prior to the IPO, we recorded compensation cost based on the fair value of such awards. The expense is recognized over the requisite service period, based on attainment of certain vesting requirements.
	The determination of the value of certain awards requires considerable judgment, including estimating expected volatility, expected term and risk-free rate. The Company’s expected volatility is based on the average volatility rates of similar actively-traded companies over the range of each award’s estimated expected term, which is based on the midpoint between the expected vesting time and the remaining contractual life. The risk-free rate is derived from the applicable Constant Maturity Treasury rate.
	Prior to the IPO, we estimated the fair market value of our equity at each reporting period in order to properly record stock compensation expense. We estimated the fair market value using a combination of the income and market approaches, and allocated a 50% weighting to each approach. The income approach quantifies the future cash flows that we expect to achieve consistent with our annual business plan and forecasting processes. These future cash flows are discounted to their net present values using an estimated rate corresponding to a weighted average cost of capital. Our forecasted cash flows are subject to uncontrollable and unforeseen events that could positively or negatively impact economic and business conditions. The estimated weighted average cost of capital includes assumptions and estimates based upon interest rates, expected rates of return, and other risk factors that consider both historic data and expected future returns for comparable investments.
	The market approach estimates fair value by applying trading multiples of enterprise value to EBITDA based on observed publicly traded comparable companies.
	(o) Deferred Satellite Performance Incentives
	The cost of satellite construction may include an element of deferred consideration that we are obligated to pay to satellite manufacturers over the lives of the satellites, provided the satellites continue to operate in accordance with contractual specifications. Historically, the satellite manufacturers have earned substantially all of these payments. Therefore, we account for these payments as deferred financing. We capitalize the present value of these payments as part of the cost of the satellites and record a corresponding liability to the satellite manufacturers. Interest expense is recognized on the deferred financing and the liability is reduced as the payments are made.
	(p) Derivative Instruments
	We hold interest rate swaps, each of which were undesignated as of December 31, 2014. The swaps are marked-to-market quarterly, with any change in fair value recorded as interest expense, net.
(q) Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiary
On October 5, 2012, we purchased from Convergence SPV Ltd (“Convergence Partners”) the remaining ownership interest in our New Dawn joint venture for $8.7 million, increasing our ownership from 74.9% to 100% (the “New Dawn Equity Purchase”). Prior to October 5, 2012, New Dawn was a majority owned subsidiary that was a joint venture investment with Convergence Partners. Convergence Partners had the ability to require us to buy its ownership interest at fair value subsequent to the operations of New Dawn’s assets for a period of time defined in the New Dawn Project Agreement. In accordance with the guidance provided in FASB ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“FASB ASC 480”), regarding the classification and measurement of redeemable securities, we marked to market the fair value of the noncontrolling interest in New Dawn at each reporting period. Any changes in fair value were reflected as an adjustment to paid-in capital. As a result of the New Dawn Equity Purchase, we eliminated the redeemable noncontrolling interest of $8.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 in accordance with FASB ASC 480.
(r) Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations, cash flows or retained earnings.
(s) New Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in FASB ASC Topic 605 – Revenue Recognition. The guidance in ASU 2014-09 clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and improves financial reporting by creating a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are in the process of evaluating the impact that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and associated disclosures, and have not yet selected a transition method.

Share_Capital

Share Capital	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Share Capital	Note 3 Share Capital
	Under our Articles of Incorporation, we have an authorized share capital of $10.0 million, represented by 1.0 billion shares of any class with a nominal value of $0.01 per share. At December 31, 2014, there were 106.7 million common shares issued and outstanding and 3.5 million Series A Preferred Shares issued and outstanding. Our Series A Preferred Shares have a liquidation preference of $50 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.
	Each Series A Preferred Share will automatically convert on May 1, 2016 into between 2.2676 and 2.7778 of our common shares, subject to anti-dilution adjustments. The number of our common shares issuable on conversion will be determined based on the average of the closing prices per common share over the 40 trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the mandatory conversion date. At any time prior to May 1, 2016, holders may elect to convert each Series A Preferred Share into common shares at the minimum conversion rate of 2.2676 common shares per Series A Preferred Share, subject to anti-dilution adjustments.

Net_Income_Loss_per_Share

Net Income (Loss) per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) per Share	Note 4 Net Income (Loss) per Share
	Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.’s common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods.
	On April 23, 2013, we completed our initial public offering, in which we issued 22,222,222 common shares, and a concurrent public offering, in which we issued 3,450,000 Series A Preferred Shares. Prior to the consummation of the IPO, each of our former Class A common shares (the “Class A Shares”) was reclassified into one of our common shares and each of our former Class B common shares (the “Class B Shares”) was reclassified into 0.0735 of our common shares. In addition, immediately prior to the consummation of the IPO, an equivalent of a share split was effected by distributing common shares pro rata to existing holders of our common shares, so that each existing holder received approximately 4.6 additional common shares for each common share owned at that time (together, the “IPO Reorganization Transactions”). The effect of these reclassifications on outstanding shares, potentially dilutive shares and EPS has been retroactively applied to the financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.
	In April 2013, the shareholders of Intelsat S.A. declared a $10.2 million dividend, which was paid in four installments through June 2014 to the holders of our Series A Preferred Shares, in accordance with the terms of the Series A Preferred Shares. In June 2014, the shareholders of Intelsat S.A. declared a $9.9 million dividend to be paid to holders of our Series A Preferred Shares in four installments through June 2015. In 2014, we made payments on the first and second installments, each of $0.71875 per share. In January 2015, we announced the third installment of $0.71875 per share. The dividend was paid on February 1, 2015 to holders of record as of January 15, 2015.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to Intelsat S.A.:
		(in thousands, except per share data or where
		otherwise noted)
		Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
		December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss)	$	(149,498	)	$	(251,993	)	$	236,506
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(1,639	)		(3,687	)		(3,974	)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.		(151,137	)		(255,680	)		232,532
	Less: Preferred Shares dividends declared		—			(10,196	)		(9,917	)
	Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	(151,137	)	$	(265,876	)	$	222,615
	Numerator for Basic EPS—income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	(151,137	)	$	(265,876	)	$	222,615
	Dilutive effect of Preferred shares		—			—			9,917
	Numerator for Diluted EPS	$	(151,137	)	$	(265,876	)	$	232,532
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in millions)		83			98.5			106.5
	Weighted average dilutive shares outstanding (in millions):
	Preferred shares (in millions)		—			—			9.6
	Employee compensation related shares including options and restricted stock units (in millions)		—			—			0.6
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in millions)		83			98.5			116.7
	Basic net income (loss) per common share attributable to Intelsat S.A.	$	(1.82	)	$	(2.70	)	$	2.09
	Diluted net income (loss) per common share attributable to Intelsat S.A.	$	(1.82	)	$	(2.70	)	$	1.99
	Due to a net loss in the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, there were no dilutive securities, and therefore, basic and diluted EPS were the same. The weighted average number of shares that could potentially dilute basic EPS in the future was 2.9 million, 4.5 million and 1.4 million (consisting of unvested common shares, restricted share units and options to purchase common shares) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Further, there were 6.6 million weighted average common shares resulting from the potential conversion of Series A Preferred Shares for the year ended December 31, 2013, that could dilute basic EPS in future periods.

ShareBased_and_Other_Compensat

Share-Based and Other Compensation Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based and Other Compensation Plans	Note 5 Share-Based and Other Compensation Plans
	On March 30, 2012, our board of directors adopted the amended and restated Intelsat Global, Ltd. 2008 Share Incentive Plan (the “2008 Equity Plan”). The 2008 Equity Plan provides for a variety of equity-based awards with respect to former Class A Shares and Class B Shares, including non-qualified share options, incentive share options (within the meaning of Section 422 of the United States Internal Revenue Service Tax Code), restricted share awards, restricted share unit awards, share appreciation rights, phantom share awards and performance-based awards, and also with respect to former Class A Shares available for issuance pursuant to the vesting and / or exercise of certain options and restricted share awards granted under the Intelsat Holdings, Ltd. 2005 Share Incentive Plan. Prior to March 30, 2012, the 2008 Equity Plan provided for awards for shares of Intelsat Global S.A., then our ultimate parent, which adopted the 2008 Equity Plan in May 2009.
	In connection with the IPO, in April 2013, we amended the 2008 Equity Plan to reflect the IPO Reorganization Transactions (see Note 4—Net Income (Loss) per Share). Consequently, the number of restricted shares and options along with the associated exercise prices has been retroactively revised to reflect the IPO Reorganization Transactions. We also granted certain shares and options under the amended plan. Further, certain repurchase rights that were included in various share-based compensation awards contractually expired. As a result, (i) certain awards have been deemed granted under the provisions of FASB ASC 718 and (ii) certain awards previously accounted for as liability awards are now treated as equity awards under the provisions of FASB ASC 718. Further, upon consummation of the IPO, anti-dilution options were granted to certain individuals in accordance with the existing terms of their side letters to a management shareholders agreement (the “Management Shareholders Agreement”).
	The items described here and above resulted in a pre-tax charge of $21.3 million (the “IPO-Related Compensation Charges”), $2.4 million of which was included in direct costs of revenue and $18.9 million of which was included in selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	Also, in connection with the IPO, in April 2013, our board of directors adopted the Intelsat S.A. 2013 Share Incentive Plan (the “2013 Equity Plan”). The 2013 Equity Plan provides for a variety of equity based awards, including incentive stock options (within the meaning of Section 422 of the United States Internal Revenue Service Tax Code), restricted shares, restricted share units, other share-based awards and performance compensation awards. Under the 2013 Equity Plan, an aggregate of 10,000,000 common shares are available for awards (as defined in the 2013 Equity Plan). Following the IPO, no new awards may be granted under the 2008 Equity Plan except those granted in connection with the IPO Reorganization Transactions and completion of the IPO. There were 4.7 million shares available for future issuance under the 2013 Equity Plan as of December 31, 2014.
	For all share-based awards, we recognize the compensation costs over the vesting period during which the employee provides service in exchange for the award. Compensation expense in 2013 also includes the IPO-Related Compensation Charges discussed above. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, we recorded compensation expense of $4.8 million, $25.3 million and $22.5 million, respectively.
	Stock Options
	Stock options generally expire 10 years from the date of grant. In some cases, options have been granted which expire 15 years from the date of grant. The options vest monthly over service periods ranging from two to five years.
	Stock Option activity during 2014 was as follows:
		Number of		Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
		Stock		Average		Average		intrinsic
		Options (in		Exercise		remaining		value (in
		thousands)		price		contractual		millions)
						term (in
						years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014		1,568	$	18.48
	Exercised		193		5.35
	Forfeited		16		24.45
	Expired		71		18.85
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		1,288	$	20.35		6.2	$	2.5
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014		1,153	$	19.43		6	$	2.5
	We measure the fair value of stock options at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. There were no stock options granted in 2014. The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the year ended December 31, 2013 was $7.85. The following assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model during the year ended December 31, 2013: risk-free interest rates of 0.6%; dividend yields of 0.0%; expected volatility of 59.4%; and expected life of 4 years.
	Due to certain repurchase provisions, stock option awards granted to certain employees were classified as liability awards prior to the IPO. The weighted average fair value of these liability awards was $19.31 as of December 31, 2012. Prior to the IPO, the fair value of these liability awards was measured using estimates of enterprise value based on a combination of income and market approach valuation techniques.
	Further, certain options granted to employees (other than certain executives) were deemed not granted and therefore, no compensation expense was recorded on vesting of these options. However, in the event of voluntary termination by the employee and other defined circumstances, these options could be repurchased at the lesser of fair market value and the exercise price.
	There were no exercises of stock options during the year ended December 31, 2012. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 was $5.6 million and $2.6 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, there was $0.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1 year.
	During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, we recorded a credit of $0.1 million, a credit of $0.4 million and compensation expense of $3.0 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, we received cash of $2.4 and $1.0 million, respectively, from the exercise of stock options.
	Anti-Dilution Options
	In connection with the IPO Reorganization Transactions and upon consummation of the IPO, options were granted to certain individuals in accordance with the existing terms of their side letters to the Management Shareholders Agreement, which, when taken together with the common shares received in connection with the reclassification of our outstanding former Class B Shares, preserved their ownership interests represented by their outstanding former Class B Shares immediately prior to the reclassification.
	These options generally expire five years from the date of grant. In some cases, options have been granted which expire 10 years from the date of grant.
	Anti-Dilution Option activity during 2014 was as follows:
		Number of		Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
		Stock		Average		Average		intrinsic
		Options		Exercise		remaining		value (in
		(in		price		contractual		millions)
		thousands)				term (in
						years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014		2,403	$	18
	Exercised		178		18
	Expired		209		18
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		2,016	$	18		7.1		—
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014		2,016	$	18		7.1		—
	We measured the fair value of anti-dilution option grants at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. There were no anti-dilution options granted during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2014. The weighted average grant date fair value of anti-dilution options granted during the year ended December 31, 2013 was $5.97. The following assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model during the year ended December 31, 2013: risk-free interest rates of 0.3%; dividend yields of 0.0%; expected volatility of 60.8%; and expected life of 2 years.
	The total intrinsic value of anti-dilution options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 was $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively. All anti-dilution options were fully vested as of December 31, 2013. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, we recorded compensation expense associated with anti-dilution option awards of $14.5 million and $4.1 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, we received cash of $0.4 million and $3.2 million, respectively, from the exercise of anti-dilution options.
	2014 Option Modification
	During the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2014, 1.9 million stock options, including 1.6 million anti-dilution options, were amended to (a) extend the expiration date by five years; and (b) extend the duration of exercisability from one year to three years after ceasing to be an employee of the company. We estimated an additional expense of $2.52 per option resulting from the amendment, being the difference between the fair value of the amended option and the fair value of the original award before amendment. The fair value was measured using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following assumptions were used:
	For the fair value of the amended options: risk-free interest rates of 1.3%; dividend yields of 0.0%; expected volatility of 45%; and expected life of 4.1 years.
	For the fair value of the original award before amendment: risk-free interest rates of 0.3%; dividend yields of 0.0%; expected volatility of 45%; and expected life of 1.6 years.
	All such options were fully vested and we recognized additional compensation expense associated with such options of $4.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2014, which has been included in the respective sections discussed above.
	Time-based Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”)
	Time-based RSUs vest over periods ranging from six months to three years from the date of grant.
	Time-based RSUs activity during 2014 was as follows:
		Number of		Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
		Time-based		Average		Average		intrinsic
		RSUs		grant date		remaining		value
		(in thousands)		fair value		contractual		(in millions)
						term
						(in years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014		817	$	20.15
	Granted		3,067		17.45
	Vested		446		20.06
	Forfeited		88		18.49
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		3,350	$	17.73		2.5	$	58.2
	The fair value of time-based RSUs is deemed to be the market price of common shares on the date of grant. The weighted average grant date fair value of time-based RSUs granted during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 was $20.13 and $17.45, respectively. There were no such grants during the year ended December 31, 2012. The total intrinsic value of time-based RSUs vested during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 was $2.5 million and $8.6 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, there was $52.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested time-based RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5 years.
	During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, we recorded compensation expense associated with these time-based RSUs of $5.7 million and $13.0 million, respectively.
Performance-based RSUs
Performance-based RSUs vest after three years from the date of grant upon achievement of certain performance conditions. Two-thirds of these grants are subject to vesting upon achievement of an adjusted EBITDA target. The remaining one-third of these grants is subject to vesting upon achievement of a relative shareholder return (“RSR”), which is based on the Company’s relative shareholder return percentile ranking versus the S&P 900 Index target.
Performance-based RSUs activity during 2014 was as follows:
	Number of		Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
	RSUs (in		Average		Average		intrinsic
	thousands)		grant		remaining		value (in
			date fair		contractual		millions)
			value		term (in
					years)
Outstanding at January 1, 2014		550	$	21.96
Granted		398		21.48
Forfeited		34		21.75
Outstanding at December 31, 2014		914	$	21.76		1.6	$	15.9
We measure the fair value of performance-based RSUs at the date of grant using the market price of our common shares (to measure the award based on an adjusted EBITDA target) and a Monte Carlo simulation model (to measure the award based on an RSR target).
The weighted average grant date fair value of performance-based RSUs granted during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 was $21.96 and $21.48, respectively. There were no performance-based RSU grants during the year ended December 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2014, there was $4.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested performance-based RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2 years.
Achievement of the adjusted EBITDA target for awards granted in 2013 and 2014 is not currently considered probable, therefore, no compensation cost associated with these awards (based on the adjusted EBITDA condition) has been recognized during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014. We recorded compensation expense associated with the performance-based RSUs of $1.1 million and $2.4 million during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Restricted Shares
There were no grants of restricted shares during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2014. All restricted shares were vested as of December 31, 2013.
Prior to the IPO, due to certain repurchase provisions, certain restricted shares granted to employees (other than certain executives) were deemed not granted and accordingly, no compensation cost was recorded for vesting of these awards. However, in the event of voluntary termination by the employee and other defined circumstances, these awards could be repurchased by the Company. In connection with the IPO, the repurchase provisions that were included in the restricted share grant agreements held by other awardees contractually expired, and these awards were classified as equity awards and were recorded at the IPO common share offering price of $18.00 per share.
Prior to the IPO, the fair value of restricted shares granted to certain executives was based on an estimate of fair value using a combination of income and market approaches. Following the IPO, the fair value of restricted shares is the market price of our common shares on the date of grant.
The total intrinsic value of restricted shares vested during the year ended December 31, 2013 was $4.2 million.
During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, we recorded compensation expense associated with restricted shares of $4.8 million and $4.5 million, respectively.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Note 6 Fair Value Measurements
	We have identified investments in marketable securities and interest rate financial derivative instruments as those items that meet the criteria of the disclosure requirements and fair value framework of FASB ASC 820.
	The following tables present assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands), excluding long-term debt (see “Note 12—Long-Term Debt”). We did not have any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the year ended December 31, 2014.
			As of		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
			December 31,
			2013		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other
					Active Markets for		Observable Inputs
					Identical Assets		(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
	Description
	Assets
	Marketable securities (1)		$	6,036	$	6,036	$	—
	Total assets		$	6,036	$	6,036	$	—
	Liabilities
	Undesignated interest rate swaps (2)		$	48,819	$	—	$	48,819
	Total liabilities		$	48,819	$	—	$	48,819
			As of		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014
			December 31,
			2014		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other
					Active Markets for		Observable Inputs
					Identical Assets		(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
	Description
	Assets
	Marketable securities (1)		$	5,950	$	5,950	$	—
	Total assets		$	5,950	$	5,950	$	—
	Liabilities
	Undesignated interest rate swaps (2)		$	26,109	$	—	$	26,109
	Total liabilities		$	26,109	$	—	$	26,109
	-1	The valuation measurement inputs of these marketable securities represent unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and, accordingly, we have classified such investments within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The cost basis of our available-for-sale marketable securities was $5.3 million at December 31, 2013 and $5.4 million at December 31, 2014. We sold marketable securities with a cost basis of $0.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2014 and recorded a gain on the sale of $0.5 million, which was included within other expense, net in our consolidated statement of operations.
	-2	The fair value of our interest rate financial derivative instruments reflects the estimated amounts that we would pay or receive to terminate the agreement at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates, the market expectation for future interest rates and current creditworthiness of both the counterparties and ourselves. Observable inputs utilized in the income approach valuation technique incorporate identical contractual notional amounts, fixed coupon rates, periodic terms for interest payments and contract maturity. Although we have determined that the majority of the inputs used to value our derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments, if any, associated with our derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as the estimates of the current credit spread, to evaluate the likelihood of default by us or our counterparties. We also considered the existence of offset provisions and other credit enhancements that serve to reduce the credit exposure associated with the asset or liability being valued. We have assessed the significance of the inputs of the credit valuation adjustments to the overall valuation of our derivative positions and have determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the valuation of our derivatives. As a result, we have determined that our derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Ret

Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits	Note 7 Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits
	(a) Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
	We maintain a noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan covering employees hired prior to July 19, 2001. The cost of providing benefits to eligible participants under the defined benefit retirement plan is calculated using the plan’s benefit formulas, which take into account the participants’ remuneration, dates of hire, years of eligible service, and certain actuarial assumptions. In addition, we provide postretirement medical benefits to certain current retirees and to certain active employees upon their retirement who meet the criteria under the medical plan for postretirement benefit eligibility.
	In January 2015, we decided to amend the defined benefit retirement plan to cease the accrual of additional benefits for the remaining active participants effective March 31, 2015. This amendment will result in a curtailment.
	The defined benefit retirement plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. We expect that our future contributions to the defined benefit retirement plan will be based on the minimum funding requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and on the plan’s funded status. Any significant decline in the fair value of our defined benefit retirement plan assets or other adverse changes to the significant assumptions used to determine the plan’s funded status would negatively impact its funded status and could result in increased funding in future periods. The impact on the funded status is determined based upon market conditions in effect when we completed our annual valuation. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we made cash contributions to the defined benefit retirement plan of $25.9 million. We anticipate that our contributions to the defined benefit retirement plan in 2015 will be approximately $21.7 million. We fund the postretirement medical benefits throughout the year based on benefits paid. We anticipate that our contributions to fund postretirement medical benefits in 2015 will be approximately $4.8 million.
	Prior service credits and actuarial losses are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net periodic pension benefit costs, which are included in both direct costs of revenue and selling, general and administrative on our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014. The following table presents these reclassifications, net of tax, as well as the reclassification of the realized gain on investments, and the statement of operations line items that are impacted (in thousands):
			Year Ended			Year Ended
			December 31, 2013			December 31, 2014
	Amortization of prior service credits reclassified from other comprehensive loss to net periodic pension benefit costs included in:
	Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)		$	(63	)	$	(68	)
	Selling, general and administrative			(44	)		(41	)
	Total		$	(107	)	$	(109	)
	Amortization of actuarial loss reclassified from other comprehensive loss to net periodic pension benefit costs included in:
	Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)		$	7,302		$	4,070
	Selling, general and administrative			5,018			2,440
	Total		$	12,320		$	6,510
	Realized (gain) loss on investments included in:
	Other expense, net		$	123		$	(390	)
	Total		$	123		$	(390	)
	Reconciliation of Funded Status and Accumulated Benefit Obligation. Expenses for our defined benefit retirement plan and for postretirement medical benefits that are provided under our medical plan are developed from actuarial valuations. The following summarizes the projected benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of the defined benefit retirement plan, as well as the projected benefit obligations of the postretirement medical benefits provided under our medical plan (in thousands, except percentages):
			Year Ended December 31, 2013						Year Ended December 31, 2014
			Pension			Other Post-			Pension			Other Post-
			Benefits			retirement			Benefits			retirement
						Benefits						Benefits
	Change in benefit obligation
	Benefit obligation at beginning of period		$	473,975		$	107,704		$	427,909		$	95,315
	Service cost			3,318			293			2,854			128
	Interest cost			18,244			4,295			19,904			4,562
	Employee contributions			—			443			—			356
	Special termination benefits			—			—			48			—
	Benefits paid			(21,294	)		(3,853	)		(24,842	)		(3,741	)
	Plan amendments			—			797			—			—
	Actuarial (gain) loss			(46,334	)		(14,364	)		65,245			19,466
	Benefit obligation at end of period		$	427,909		$	95,315		$	491,118		$	116,086
	Change in plan assets
	Plan assets at beginning of period		$	278,384			—		$	322,176			—
	Employer contributions			31,989			3,410			25,873			3,385
	Employee contributions			—			443			—			356
	Actual return on plan assets			33,097			—			16,318			—
	Benefits paid			(21,294	)		(3,853	)		(24,842	)		(3,741	)
	Plan assets at fair value at end of period		$	322,176			—		$	339,525			—
	Accrued benefit costs and funded status of the plans		$	(105,733	)	$	(95,315	)	$	(151,593	)	$	(116,086	)
	Accumulated benefit obligation		$	418,710					$	480,906
	Weighted average assumptions used to determine accumulated benefit obligation and accrued benefit costs
	Discount rate			4.83	%		4.9	%		4.01	%		4.04	%
	Salary rate			3.25	%		—			3.25	%		—
	Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs
	Discount rate			3.98	%		4.04	%		4.83	%		4.9	%
	Expected rate of return on plan assets			7.8	%		—			7.8	%		—
	Rate of compensation increase			3.25	%		—			3.25	%		—
	Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss recognized in net periodic benefit cost
	Actuarial loss, net of tax		$	12,094		$	226		$	6,510			—
	Prior service credits, net of tax			(107	)		—			(109	)		—
	Total		$	11,987		$	226		$	6,401			—
	Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss not yet recognized in net periodic benefit cost
	Actuarial loss, net of tax		$	62,234		$	923		$	101,829		$	13,221
	Prior service credits, net of tax			(500	)		—			(391	)		—
	Total		$	61,734		$	923		$	101,438		$	13,221
	Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost in the subsequent year
	Actuarial loss		$	(10,319	)		—		$	(18,018	)	$	(596	)
	Prior service credits			172			—			172			—
	Total		$	(10,147	)		—		$	(17,846	)	$	(596	)
	Our benefit obligations are matched to a yield curve that is derived from the monthly bid-price data of bonds that are rated high grade by either Moody’s Investor Service or Standard and Poor’s Rating Services. The bond types included are noncallable bonds, private placement bonds that are traded among qualified institutional buyers and are at least two years from date of issuance, bonds with a make-whole provision, and bonds issued by foreign corporations that are denominated in U.S. dollars. Excluded are bonds that are callable, sinkable and putable as well as those for which the quoted yield-to-maturity is zero. Using the bonds from this universe that have a yield higher than the regression mean yield curve, regression analysis is used to determine the best-fitting curve, which gives a good fit to the data at both long and short maturities. The resulting regressed coupon yield curve is smoothly continuous along its entire length and represents an unbiased average of the observed market data.
	Interest rates used in these valuations are key assumptions, including discount rates used in determining the present value of future benefit payments and expected return on plan assets, which are reviewed and updated on an annual basis. The discount rates reflect market rates for high-quality corporate bonds. We consider current market conditions, including changes in interest rates, in making assumptions. In 2014, the Society of Actuaries (“SOA”) issued new mortality and mortality improvement tables that indicate raised life expectancies compared to previous mortality tables. Our December 31, 2014 valuation used mortality tables based on the 2014 SOA tables. In establishing the expected return on assets assumption, we review the asset allocations considering plan maturity and develop return assumptions based on different asset classes. The return assumptions are established after reviewing historical returns of broader market indexes, as well as historical performance of the investments in the plan. Our pension plan assets are managed in accordance with an investment policy adopted by the pension committee, as discussed below.
Plan Assets. The investment policy of the Plan includes target allocation percentages of approximately 47% for investments in equity securities (31% U.S. equities and 16% non-U.S. equities), 38% for investments in fixed income securities and 15% for investments in other securities, which is broken down further into 5% for investments in hedge fund of funds and 10% for investments in real estate fund of funds. Plan assets include investments in both U.S. and non-U.S. equity funds. Fixed income investments include a U.S. government securities fund, two short duration bond funds, a high yield bond fund and an emerging markets debt fund. The funds in which the plan’s assets are invested are institutionally managed and have diversified exposures into multiple asset classes implemented with over 65 investment managers. The guidelines and objectives of the funds are congruent with the Intelsat investment policy statement.
The target and actual asset allocation of our pension plan assets were as follows:
		As of December 31, 2013						As of December 31, 2014
		Target			Actual			Target			Actual
		Allocation			Allocation			Allocation			Allocation
Asset Category
Equity securities			47	%		50	%		47	%		49	%
Debt securities			38	%		36	%		38	%		36	%
Other securities			15	%		14	%		15	%		15	%
Total			100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
The fair values of our pension plan assets by asset category are as follows (in thousands):
		Fair Value Measurements at			Fair Value Measurements at
		December 31, 2013			December 31, 2014
Asset Category
Equity Securities
U.S. Large-Cap (1)		$	83,116		$	89,593
U.S. Small/Mid-Cap (2)			24,857			25,133
World Equity Ex-US (3)			53,367			52,432
Fixed Income Securities
Short Duration Bonds (4)			61,388			63,544
High Yield Bonds (5)			14,282			14,133
Emerging Market Fixed income (Non-US) (6)			9,633			10,041
Core Fixed Income (7)			29,844			32,502
Other Securities
Hedge Funds (8)			29,766			17,719
Core Property Fund (9)			15,747			34,236
Money Market Funds			—			14
Income earned but not yet received			176			178
Total		$	322,176		$	339,525
-1	US large cap equity fund invests primarily in a portfolio of common stocks included in the S&P 500 Index, as well as other equity securities and derivative instruments whose value is derived from the performance of the S&P 500.
-2	US small/mid cap equity fund invests primarily in a portfolio of common stocks included in the Russell 2500 Index.
-3	World equity ex-US fund invests primarily in common stocks and other equity securities whose issuers comprise a broad range of capitalizations and are located outside of the U.S. The fund invests primarily in developed countries but may also invest in emerging markets.
-4	Short duration bond fund includes the Ultra Short Duration Bond fund and Opportunistic Income fund. The Ultra Short Duration Bond invests at least 80% of its net assets in investment grade U.S. dollar denominated debt instruments. While the funds may invest in securities with any maturity or duration, the funds will maintain a portfolio duration range of 18 months or less under normal market conditions. The Opportunistic Income fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment grade and non-investment grade fixed-income securities. There are no restrictions on the maturity of any individual securities or on the fund’s average portfolio maturity, although the average portfolio duration will typically vary between 0-24 months.
-5	High yield bond fund seeks to maximize return by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of higher yielding, lower rated fixed income securities. The fund will invest primarily in securities rated below investment grade, including corporate bonds, convertible and preferred securities and zero coupon obligations.
-6	Emerging markets debt fund seeks to maximize return investing in fixed income securities of emerging markets issuers. The fund will invest primarily in U.S. dollar denominated debt securities of government, government-related and corporate issuers in emerging market countries, as well as entities organized to restructure the outstanding debt of such issuers.
-7	Core fixed income fund invests in fixed-income funds which seek to provide current income consistent with the preservation of capital.
-8	Hedge fund seeks to provide returns that are different from (less correlated with) investments in more traditional asset classes. The fund will pursue its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in various hedge funds.
-9	Core property fund is a fund of funds that invests in direct commercial property funds primarily in the U.S. The fund is meant to provide current income-oriented returns, diversification, and modest inflation protection to an overall investment portfolio. Total returns are expected to be somewhere between stocks and bonds, with moderate volatility and low correlation to public markets.
Our plan assets are measured at fair value. FASB ASC 820 prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques including Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 (see Note 2 (d)—Significant Accounting Policies—Fair Value Measurements).
The majority of our plan assets are valued using measurement inputs which include unadjusted prices in active markets and we have therefore classified these assets within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Our other securities include Hedge Funds and Core Property Funds, which are valued using quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable. We have determined the inputs used to value the Hedge Funds and Core Property Funds fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and therefore classified the Hedge Funds and Core Property Funds in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Net periodic pension benefit costs included the following components (in thousands):
		Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
		December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
Service cost		$	3,211		$	3,318		$	2,854
Interest cost			19,061			18,244			19,904
Expected return on plan assets			(20,562	)		(21,263	)		(24,130	)
Amortization of unrecognized prior service credits			(172	)		(172	)		(172	)
Amortization of unrecognized net loss			13,990			19,423			10,319
Special termination benefit recognized			—			—			48
Total benefit		$	15,528		$	19,550		$	8,823
We had accrued benefit costs at December 31, 2013 and 2014 of $105.7 million and $151.6 million, respectively, related to the pension benefits, of which $0.6 million was recorded within other current liabilities for both periods and $105.1 million and $151.0 million was recorded in other long-term liabilities, respectively.
Net periodic other postretirement benefit costs included the following components (in thousands):
		Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
		December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
Service cost		$	354		$	293		$	128
Interest cost			4,959			4,295			4,562
Plan amendment			—			797			—
Amortization of unrecognized net loss			687			362			—
Total costs		$	6,000		$	5,747		$	4,690
We had accrued benefit costs at December 31, 2013 and 2014 related to the other postretirement benefits of $95.3 million and $116.1 million, respectively, of which $4.4 million and $5.2 million was recorded in other current liabilities, respectively, and $90.9 million and $110.9 million was recorded in other long-term liabilities, respectively.
Depending upon our actual future health care claims, our actual costs may vary significantly from those projected above. As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014, the assumed health care cost trend rate was 7.7% and 7.5%, respectively. This rate is assumed to decrease gradually to 4.5% by the year 2030 and to remain at that level of annual increase thereafter. Increasing the assumed health care cost trend rate by 1% each year would increase the other postretirement benefits obligation as of December 31, 2014 by $12.9 million. Decreasing this trend rate by 1% each year would reduce the other postretirement benefits obligation as of December 31, 2014 by $10.9 million. A 1% increase in the assumed health care cost trend rate would have increased the net periodic other postretirement benefits cost by $0.5 million and a 1% decrease would have decreased the cost by $0.4 million for 2014.
The benefits expected to be paid in each of the next five years and in the aggregate for the five years thereafter are as follows (in thousands):
		Pension			Other Post-retirement
		Benefits			Benefits
2015		$	34,262		$	4,824
2016			29,307			5,218
2017			30,114			5,614
2018			28,862			5,989
2019			28,814			6,322
2020 to 2024			151,788			35,502
Total		$	303,147		$	63,469
(b) Other Retirement Plans
We maintain two defined contribution retirement plans, qualified under the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, for our employees in the United States. Effective on March 31, 2015, the two 401(k) plans will be merged into one plan and all U.S. employees will participate in one plan with a common level of employer contribution. We recognized compensation expense for these plans of $7.9 million, $5.4 million and $9.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. We also maintain other defined contribution retirement plans in several non-U.S. jurisdictions, but such plans are not material to our financial position or results of operations.

Receivables

Receivables	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]
Receivables	Note 8 Receivables
	Receivables were comprised of the following (in thousands):
		As of			As of
		December 31,			December 31,
		2013			2014
	Service charges:
	Billed	$	247,655		$	245,022
	Unbilled		8,260			7,493
	Other		15,720			3,117
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(35,288	)		(35,174	)
	Total	$	236,347		$	220,458
	Unbilled service charges represent amounts earned and accrued as receivables from customers for services rendered prior to the end of the reporting period. Unbilled service charges are expected to be billed and collected within twelve months of the respective balance sheet date. Other receivables as of December 31, 2013 included a $12.2 million receivable from JSAT International, Inc. (“JSAT”), with which we have a joint venture (see Note 10(a)—Investments—Horizons Holdings). In September 2014, this receivable was fully paid.

Satellites_and_Other_Property_

Satellites and Other Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Satellites and Other Property and Equipment	Note 9 Satellites and Other Property and Equipment
	(a) Satellites and Other Property and Equipment, net
	Satellites and other property and equipment, net were comprised of the following (in thousands):
			As of			As of
			December 31,			December 31,
			2013			2014
	Satellites and launch vehicles		$	8,628,596			9,154,751
	Information systems and ground segment			559,250			582,115
	Buildings and other			203,839			236,845
	Total cost			9,391,685			9,973,711
	Less: accumulated depreciation			(3,586,145	)		(4,093,447	)
	Total		$	5,805,540		$	5,880,264
	Satellites and other property and equipment, net as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 included construction-in-progress of $0.8 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively. These amounts relate primarily to satellites under construction and related launch services. Interest costs of $44.8 million and $70.9 million were capitalized during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Additionally, we recorded depreciation expense of $673.1 million, $654.3 million and $611.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	We have entered into launch contracts for the launch of both specified and unspecified future satellites. Each of these launch contracts provides that such contract may be terminated at our option, subject to payment of a termination fee that increases as the applicable launch date approaches. In addition, in the event of a failure of any launch, we may exercise our right to obtain a replacement launch within a specified period following our request for re-launch.
	(b) Recent Satellite Launches
	On October 16, 2014, we successfully launched our IS-30 satellite into orbit. This satellite establishes long-term capacity at the 95°W orbital location and is co-located with our Galaxy 3C satellite. IS-30 entered into service in the fourth quarter of 2014. It provides capacity for direct-to-home (“DTH”) television service in Latin America via Ku-band platforms, as well as additional capacity for media, government and network services customers via C-band platforms.
	On February 1, 2013, the launch vehicle for our IS-27 satellite failed shortly after liftoff and the satellite was completely destroyed. A Failure Review Board was established and subsequently concluded that the launch failed due to the mechanical failure of one of the first stage engine’s thrust control components. The satellite and launch vehicle were fully insured, and we received $406.2 million of insurance proceeds during the year ended December 31, 2013. Accounting for insured losses of fixed assets is governed by FASB ASC Topic 605-40, Revenue Recognition—Gains and Losses (“FASB ASC 605-40”). In accordance with FASB ASC 605-40, we recognized the surplus of insurance proceeds received over the $396.6 million book value of the IS-27 satellite and its related assets and recorded a $9.6 million gain, which is reflected as a gain on satellite insurance recoveries on our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013. These proceeds were used to redeem $366.4 million aggregate principal amount of Intelsat Luxembourg’s outstanding 11 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Senior Notes”). See Note 12—Long-Term Debt for further discussion.
	(c) Sale of U.S. Administrative Headquarters Building
	On October 5, 2012, we completed the sale of our U.S. administrative headquarters office building in Washington, D.C. (the “U.S. Administrative Headquarters Property”), and assigned our Amended and Restated Lease Agreement with the U.S. Government relating to the U.S. Administrative Headquarters Property to the purchaser for a price of $85.0 million in cash. The sale resulted in a pre-tax gain of $12.8 million included within other income, net in our consolidated statement of operations. On November 30, 2012, we entered into an agreement to lease approximately 188,000 square feet of space in McLean, Virginia for our new permanent U.S. administrative headquarters and primary satellite operations center in a new building that was completed in June 2014 (the “New U.S. Administrative Headquarters”). The lease is for a term of 15 years. We began occupancy in the New U.S. Administrative Headquarters in the third quarter of 2014. In December 2013, we signed an Amendment to the lease increasing the total leased square footage to 212,572 square feet that will allow the relocation of our Intelsat General Corporation office to the same facility in the first quarter of 2015.
	(d) Satellite Health
	Our satellite fleet is diversified by manufacturer and satellite type, and as a result, our fleet is generally healthy. We have experienced some technical problems with our current fleet but have been able to minimize the impact of these problems on our customers, our operations and our business in recent years. Many of these problems have been component failures and anomalies that have had little long-term impact to date on the overall transponder availability in our satellite fleet. All of our satellites have been designed to accommodate an anticipated rate of equipment failures with adequate redundancy to meet or exceed their orbital design lives, and to date, this redundancy design scheme has proven effective. After each anomaly we have generally restored services for our customers on the affected satellite, provided alternative capacity on other satellites in our fleet, or provided capacity that we purchased from other satellite operators.
	Significant Anomalies
	On November 28, 2004, our Galaxy 27 satellite experienced a sudden anomaly in its north electrical distribution system which resulted in the loss of control of the satellite and the interruption of customer services on the satellite. Galaxy 27 is a FS 1300 series satellite manufactured by Space Systems/Loral, LLC (“SSL”). Our engineers were able to regain command and control of Galaxy 27, and it was placed back in service, with reduced payload capacity, following operational testing. We determined that the north electrical distribution system on Galaxy 27 and the communications capacity associated with it were not operational, and the satellite lost redundancy in nearly all of its components. As of December 31, 2014, Galaxy 27 is kept in inclined orbit.
	On January 14, 2005, our IS-804 satellite experienced a sudden and unexpected electrical power system anomaly that resulted in the total loss of the satellite. IS-804 was a Lockheed Martin 7000 series (the “LM 7000 series”) satellite, and as of December 31, 2014 we operated one other satellite in the LM 7000 series, IS-805, which remains in a primary orbital role. Based on the report of the failure review board that we established with Lockheed Martin Corporation, we believe that the IS-804 failure was not likely to have been caused by an IS-804 specific workmanship or hardware element, but was most likely caused by a high current event in the battery circuitry triggered by an electrostatic discharge that propagated to cause the sudden failure of the high voltage power system. We therefore believe that although this risk exists for our other LM 7000 series satellite, the risk of any individual satellite having a similar anomaly is low.
	On September 21, 2006, our IS-802 satellite, which was also an LM 7000 series satellite, experienced a reduction of electrical power capability that resulted in a degraded capability of the satellite. A substantial subset of transponders on IS-802 were subsequently reactivated and operated normally until the end of its service life in September 2010, when it was decommissioned. The anomaly review board that we established with Lockheed Martin Corporation to investigate the cause of the anomaly concluded that the IS-802 anomaly was most likely caused by an electrical short internal to the solar array harness located on the south solar array boom. The anomaly review board found that this anomaly was significantly different from previous LM 7000 series spacecraft failures and was the first failure of this type on a solar array of the LM 7000 series. We therefore believe that although this risk exists for our other LM 7000 series satellite, the risk of any individual satellite having a similar anomaly is low.
	On June 29, 2008, our Galaxy 26 satellite experienced a sudden and unexpected electrical distribution anomaly causing the loss of a substantial portion of the satellite power generating capability and resulting in the interruption of some of the customer services on the satellite. Galaxy 26 is also a FS 1300 series satellite. Certain transponders continued to operate normally. However, the anomaly resulted in a reduction to the estimated remaining useful life of the satellite. In June 2014, Galaxy 26 was decommissioned.
	With respect to both the Galaxy 27 and Galaxy 26 anomalies, the failure review boards that we established with SSL identified the likely root cause of the anomalies as a design flaw which is affected by a number of parameters and in some extreme cases can result in an electrical system anomaly. The design flaw also exists on IS-8. This satellite has been in service since November 1998 and has not experienced an electrical system anomaly. Along with the manufacturer, we continually monitor this problem. Traffic on IS-8 was transferred to IS-19 in 2012, and IS-8 has been relocated to 169°E, where it provides normal service.
	On April 5, 2010, our Galaxy 15 satellite experienced an anomaly resulting in our inability to command the satellite. We transitioned all media traffic on this satellite to our Galaxy 12 satellite, which was our designated in-orbit spare satellite for the North America region. Galaxy 15 is a Star-2 satellite manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation. On December 23, 2010, we recovered command of the spacecraft and we began diagnostic testing and uploading of software updates that protect against future anomalies of this type. In February 2011, Galaxy 15 initiated a drift to 133°W and returned to service, initially as an in-orbit spare. In October 2011, media traffic was transferred from Galaxy 12 back to Galaxy 15, and Galaxy 15 resumed normal service.
	On April 22, 2011, our IS-28 satellite, formerly known as the Intelsat New Dawn satellite, was launched into orbit. Subsequent to the launch, the satellite experienced an anomaly during the deployment of its west antenna reflector, which controls communications in the C-band frequency. The anomaly had not been experienced previously on other STAR satellites manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation, including those in our fleet. The New Dawn joint venture filed a partial loss claim with its insurers relating to the C-band antenna reflector anomaly and all of the insurance proceeds from the partial loss claim were received in 2011. The Ku-band antenna reflector deployed and that portion of the satellite is operating as planned, entering service in June 2011. A Failure Review Board established to determine the cause of the anomaly, completed its investigation in July 2011 and concluded that the deployment anomaly of the C-band reflector was most likely due to a malfunction of the reflector sunshield. As a result, the sunshield interfered with the ejection release mechanism, and prevented the deployment of the C-band antenna. The Failure Review Board also recommended corrective actions for Orbital Sciences Corporation satellites not yet launched to prevent reoccurrence of the anomaly. Appropriate corrective actions were implemented on IS-18, which was successfully launched on October 5, 2011, and on IS-23, which was launched in October 2012 and entered into service in November 2012.
	The IS-28 satellite and its operations were financed primarily with non-recourse debt through a joint venture in which we were the majority shareholder (see Note 10(b)—Investments—New Dawn). The New Dawn joint venture filed a partial loss claim with its insurers, relating to the C-band antenna reflector anomaly. The claim was finalized and agreed to during 2011, resulting in total insurance recoveries of $118.0 million received. New Dawn’s debt agreements provided that all or most of the proceeds of the insurance claim were to be used to pay down New Dawn’s debt and a portion of the associated interest rate swap. In July 2012, the proceeds of the insurance claim were used to prepay a portion of New Dawn’s debt, along with the associated interest and fees, and to settle the notional amount of a portion of the associated interest rate swaps.
	During launch operations of IS-19 on June 1, 2012, the satellite experienced damage to its south solar array. Although both solar arrays are deployed, the power available to the satellite is less than is required to operate 100% of the payload capacity. The Independent Oversight Board (“IOB”) formed by SSL and Sea Launch to investigate the solar array deployment anomaly. The IOB concluded that the anomaly occurred before the spacecraft separated from the launch vehicle, during the ascent phase of the launch, and originated in one of the satellite’s two solar array wings due to a rare combination of factors in the panel fabrication and unrelated to the launch vehicle. While the satellite is operational, the anomaly resulted in structural and electrical damage to one solar array wing, which reduced the amount of power available for payload operation. Additionally, we filed a partial loss claim with our insurers relating to the solar array anomaly. We received $84.8 million of insurance proceeds related to the claim in 2013. As planned, IS-19 followed IS-8 at 166°E, in August 2012.
	In accordance with our policy and the guidance provided for under FASB ASC 360, we review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset or asset group may not be recoverable. The recoverability of an asset or asset group held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset or asset group to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. When a satellite experiences an anomaly or other health related issues, we believe the lowest level of identifiable cash flows exists at the individual satellite level. Further, in 2011 and 2012, we performed impairment reviews of our IS-28 and IS-19 satellites and determined that there was no impairment of the carrying amount of the assets due to the expected cash flows to be generated by the operational payloads over the satellites’ expected useful lives.
	Other Anomalies
	We have also identified three other types of common anomalies among the satellite models in our fleet, which have had an operational impact in the past and could, if they materialize, have an impact in the future. These are:
		•		failure of the on-board satellite control processor (“SCP”) in Boeing 601 (“BSS 601”) satellites;
		•		failure of the on-board XIPS used to maintain the in-orbit position of Boeing 601 High Power Series (“BSS 601 HP”) satellites; and
		•		accelerated solar array degradation in early Boeing 702 (“BSS 702”) satellites.
	SCP Failures. Many of our satellites use an on-board SCP to provide automatic on-board control of many operational functions. SCPs are a critical component in the operation of such satellites. Each such satellite has a backup SCP, which is available in the event of a failure of the primary SCP. Certain BSS 601 satellites have experienced SCP failures. The risk of SCP failure appears to decline as these satellites age.
	As of December 31, 2014, we operated one BSS 601 satellite, IS-26. This satellite was identified as having heightened susceptibility to the SCP problem. IS-26 has been in continuous operation since 1997. Both primary and backup SCPs on this satellite are monitored regularly and remain fully functional. Accordingly, we believe it is unlikely that additional SCP failures will occur; however, should they occur, we do not anticipate an interruption in business or early replacement of this satellite as a result.
	BSS 601 HP XIPS. The BSS 601 HP satellite uses XIPS as its primary propulsion system. There are two separate XIPS on each BSS 601 HP, each one of which is capable of maintaining the satellite in its orbital position. The satellite also has a completely independent chemical propulsion system as a backup to the XIPS. As a result, the failure of a XIPS on a BSS 601 HP typically would have no effect on the satellite’s performance or its operating life. However, the failure of both XIPS would require the use of the backup chemical propulsion system, which could result in a shorter operating life for the satellite depending on the amount of chemical fuel remaining. XIPS failures do not typically result in a catastrophic failure of the satellite or affect the communications capability of the satellite.
	As of December 31, 2014, we operated four BSS 601 HP satellites, IS-5 and IS-9, both now in inclined-orbit, and IS-10 and Galaxy 13/Horizons-1. Galaxy 13/Horizons-1 continues to have both XIPS available as its primary propulsion system. IS-5, IS-9 and IS-10 have experienced the failure of both XIPS and are operating on their backup chemical propulsion systems. IS-5 was redeployed in 2012 following its replacement by IS-8, which was subsequently replaced by IS-19. Also in 2012, IS-9 and IS-10 were redeployed following their replacements by IS-21 and IS-20, respectively. No assurance can be given that we will not have further XIPS failures that result in shortened satellite lives. We have decommissioned three satellites that had experienced failure of both XIPS. IS-6B was replaced by IS-11 during the first quarter of 2008, Galaxy 10R was replaced by Galaxy 18 during the second quarter of 2008, and Galaxy 4R was decommissioned in March 2009.
	BSS 702 HP Solar Arrays. All of our satellites have solar arrays that power their operating systems and transponders and recharge the batteries used when solar power is not available. Solar array performance typically degrades over time in a predictable manner. Additional power margins and other operational flexibility are designed into satellites to allow for such degradation without loss of performance or operating life. Certain BSS 702 HP satellites have experienced greater than anticipated degradation of their solar arrays resulting from the design of the solar arrays. Such degradation, if continued, results in a shortened operating life of a satellite or the need to reduce the use of the communications payload.
	As of December 31, 2014, we operated three BSS 702 HP satellites, two of which are affected by accelerated solar array degradation, Galaxy 11 and IS-1R. Service to customers has not been affected, and we expect that both of these satellites will continue to serve customers until we replace or supplement them with new satellites. Along with the manufacturer, we continually monitor the problem to determine its cause and its expected effect. Due to this continued degradation, Galaxy 11’s estimated end of service life is in the first quarter of 2019 and IS-1R’s estimated end of service life is in the second quarter of 2017. Galaxy 11 is currently operating in a primary orbital role and is planned to be replaced by IS-34 in 2015. IS-1R was redeployed following its replacement by IS-14. The third BSS 702 HP satellite that we operated as of December 31, 2014, Galaxy 3C, was launched after the solar array anomaly was identified, and it has a substantially different solar array design intended to eliminate the problem. This satellite has been in service since September 2002 and has not experienced similar degradation problems.

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investments	Note 10 Investments
	We have an ownership interest in one entity that met the criteria of a VIE, Horizons Satellite Holdings, LLC (“Horizons Holdings”). On December 29, 2014, we acquired the remaining ownership interests in the WP Com, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“WP Com”) joint venture discussed further below. Horizons Holdings is discussed in further detail below, including our analyses of the primary beneficiary determination as required under FASB ASC Topic 810, Consolidation (“FASB ASC 810”).
	(a) Horizons Holdings
	We have a joint venture with JSAT. The joint venture is named Horizons Satellite Holdings, LLC, and consists of two investments: Horizons-1 Satellite LLC (“Horizons-1”) and Horizons-2 Satellite LLC (“Horizons-2”). Horizons Holdings borrowed from JSAT a portion of the funds necessary to finance the construction of the Horizons-2 satellite pursuant to a loan agreement (the “Horizons 2 Loan Agreement”). We provide certain services to the joint venture and utilize capacity from the joint venture.
	We have determined that this joint venture meets the criteria of a VIE under FASB ASC 810, and we have concluded that we are the primary beneficiary because decisions relating to any future relocation of the Horizons-2 satellite, the most significant asset of the joint venture, are effectively controlled by us. In accordance with FASB ASC 810, as the primary beneficiary, we consolidate Horizons Holdings within our consolidated financial statements. Total assets and liabilities of Horizons Holdings were $101.7 million and $24.6 million as of December 31, 2013, respectively, and $67.5 million and $0.1 million as of December 31, 2014, respectively.
	We also have a revenue sharing agreement with JSAT related to services sold on the Horizons satellites. We are responsible for billing and collection for such services, and we remit 50% of the revenue, less applicable fees and commissions, to JSAT. Under the Horizons Holdings joint venture agreement, which was amended on September 30, 2011, we agreed to guarantee to JSAT certain minimum levels of annual gross revenues for a three-year period beginning in early 2012. This guarantee could require us to pay JSAT a maximum potential amount ranging from $7.8 million to $10.3 million per year over the three-year period, less applicable fees and commissions. In connection with the guarantee, we paid a total of $9.6 million, net of fees and commissions through 2014. The remaining amount we expect to pay over the period of the guarantee is $5.0 million, which is included within accounts payable and accrued liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014. Amounts payable to JSAT related to the revenue sharing agreement, net of applicable fees and commissions, from the Horizons-1 and Horizons-2 satellites were $7.1 million and $5.7 million as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	In connection with the Horizons Holdings investment in Horizons-2, we entered into a capital contribution and subscription agreement with JSAT in August 2005, which required both us and JSAT to fund 50% of the amount due from Horizons Holdings under the Horizons 2 Loan Agreement. In September 30, 2014, the Horizons 2 Loan Agreement was fully repaid.
	(b) New Dawn
	In June 2008, we entered into a project and shareholders’ agreement (the “New Dawn Project Agreement”) with Convergence SPV, Ltd. (“Convergence Partners”) pursuant to which New Dawn, a Mauritius company in which we had a 74.9% indirect ownership interest and Convergence Partners had a 25.1% noncontrolling ownership interest, launched a satellite in April 2011 to provide satellite transponder services to customers in Africa. Prior to the New Dawn Equity Purchase we consolidated New Dawn within our financial statements, net of eliminating entries, but we also accounted for the percentage interest in New Dawn owned by Convergence Partners as a noncontrolling interest according to the guidance provided under FASB ASC 480 specifically related to the classification and measurement of redeemable securities. As a result of the New Dawn Equity Purchase in 2012, we eliminated the redeemable noncontrolling interest of $8.7 million in accordance with FASB ASC 480.
	(c) WP Com
	We had a joint venture with Corporativo W. Com S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Corporativo”) named WP Com, S. de R.L. de C.V. We owned 49% of the voting equity shares and 88% of the economic interest in WP Com and Corporativo owned the remaining 51% of the voting equity shares. PanAmSat de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“PAS de Mexico”) is a subsidiary of WP Com, 99.9% of which was owned by WP Com, with the remainder of the equity interest split between us and Corporativo. We formed WP Com to enable us to operate in Mexico, and PAS de Mexico acts as a reseller of our satellite services to customers in Mexico and Ecuador.
	We had determined that this joint venture met the criteria of a VIE under FASB ASC 810. In accordance with FASB ASC 810, we evaluated this joint venture to determine the primary beneficiary. We concluded that we were the primary beneficiary because we influenced the underlying business drivers of PAS de Mexico, including by acting as the sole provider for satellite services that PAS de Mexico resells. We therefore consolidated WP Com within our financial statements, net of eliminating entries, and accounted for the percentage interest in the voting equity of WP Com owned by Corporativo as a noncontrolling interest in accordance with FASB ASC 810.
	On December 29, 2014, we acquired the remaining ownership interests in WP Com. As a result of the transaction, we eliminated the noncontrolling interest of $2.2 million in accordance with FASB ASC 810.
	(d) Equity Attributable to Intelsat S.A. and Noncontrolling Interests
	The following tables present changes in equity attributable to the Company and equity attributable to our noncontrolling interests, which is included in the equity section of our consolidated balance sheet (in thousands):
		Intelsat S.A.			Noncontrolling			Total
		Shareholders’			Interest			Shareholders’
		Deficit						Deficit
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	(1,357,760	)	$	45,670		$	(1,312,090	)
	Net income (loss)		(255,680	)		3,687			(251,993	)
	Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests		—			(8,671	)		(8,671	)
	Initial public offering, net of costs		542,796			—			542,796
	Change in classification of certain equity awards		18,899			—			18,899
	Share-based compensation		28,553			—			28,553
	Declaration of preferred stock dividend		(10,196	)		—			(10,196	)
	Postretirement/pension liability adjustment		57,283			—			57,283
	Other comprehensive income		752			—			752
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(975,353	)	$	40,686		$	(934,667	)
		Intelsat S.A.			Noncontrolling			Total
		Shareholders’			Interest			Shareholders’
		Deficit						Deficit
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	(975,353	)	$	40,686		$	(934,667	)
	Net income (loss)		232,532			3,974			236,506
	Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests		—			(8,744	)		(8,744	)
	Acquisition of remaining interests in WP Com		2,215			(2,215	)		—
	Share-based compensation		26,389			—			26,389
	Declaration of preferred stock dividend		(9,917	)		—			(9,917	)
	Postretirement/pension liability adjustment		(52,002	)		—			(52,002	)
	Other comprehensive income		(132	)		—			(132	)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(776,268	)	$	33,701		$	(742,567	)

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Note 11 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The carrying amounts of goodwill and acquired intangible assets not subject to amortization consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of		As of
		December 31,		December 31,
		2013		2014
	Goodwill	$	6,780,827	$	6,780,827
	Orbital locations		2,387,700		2,387,700
	Trade name		70,400		70,400
	We account for goodwill and other non-amortizable intangible assets in accordance with FASB ASC 350, and have deemed these assets to have indefinite lives. Therefore, these assets are not amortized but are tested on an annual basis for impairment during the fourth quarter, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. The following is a discussion of our impairment analysis and methodology:
	(a) Goodwill
	We are required to identify reporting units at a level below the company’s identified operating segments for impairment analysis. We have identified only one reporting unit for the goodwill impairment test.
	In accordance with ASU 2011-08, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (that is, there is a likelihood of more than 50%) that the fair value of our reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. We make our qualitative evaluation considering, among other things, general macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance and other relevant entity-specific events. Based on our examination of these qualitative factors, we concluded that there was not a likelihood of more than 50% that the fair value of our reporting unit was less than its carrying value; therefore, no further testing of goodwill was required.
	The assessment of qualitative factors requires significant judgment. Alternative interpretations of the qualitative factors could have resulted in a different conclusion as to whether it was not more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting unit was less than its carrying value. A different conclusion would require a more detailed quantitative analysis to be performed, which could, in future years, result in an impairment charge for goodwill.
	(b) Orbital Locations, Trade Name and other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
	Orbital Locations. Intelsat is authorized by governments to operate satellites at certain orbital locations—i.e., longitudinal coordinates along the Clarke Belt. The Clarke Belt is the part of space approximately 35,800 kilometers above the plane of the equator where geostationary orbit may be achieved. Various governments acquire rights to these orbital locations through filings made with the ITU, a sub-organization of the United Nations. We will continue to have rights to operate at our orbital locations so long as we maintain our authorizations to do so. See “Part I—Item 3D—Risk Factors—Risk Factors Relating to Regulation”.
	Our rights to operate at orbital locations can be used and sold individually; however, since satellites and customers can be and are moved from one orbital location to another, our rights are used in conjunction with each other as a network that can change to meet the changing needs of our customers and market demands. Due to the interchangeable nature of orbital locations, the aggregate value of all of the orbital locations is used to measure the extent of impairment, if any.
	We determined the estimated fair value of our rights to operate at orbital locations using the build-up method to determine the cash flows for the income approach, with the resulting projected cash flows discounted at an appropriate weighted average cost of capital. In instances where the build-up method did not generate positive value for the rights to operate at an orbital location, but the rights were expected to generate revenue, we assigned a value based upon independent source data for recent transactions of similar orbital locations, which are all considered Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy under FASB ASC 820. We updated our analysis of our orbital locations in the fourth quarter of 2014, and concluded there is no impairment.
	Trade name. We have implemented the relief from royalty method to determine the estimated fair value of the Intelsat trade name. The relief from royalty analysis is comprised of two major steps: i) a determination of the hypothetical royalty rate, and ii) the subsequent application of the royalty rate to projected revenue. In determining the hypothetical royalty rate utilized in the relief from royalty approach, we considered comparable license agreements, operating earnings benchmark rule of thumb, an excess earnings analysis to determine aggregate intangible asset earnings, and other qualitative factors, which are all considered Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy under FASB ASC 820. Based on our analysis, the fair value of the Intelsat trade name as of the year ended December 2014 was not impaired.
	The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of acquired intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31, 2013							As of December 31, 2014
		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Carrying		Amortization			Carrying		Carrying		Amortization			Carrying
		Amount					Amount		Amount					Amount
	Backlog and other	$	743,760	$	(575,045	)	$	168,715	$	743,760	$	(615,285	)	$	128,475
	Customer relationships		534,030		(133,970	)		400,060		534,030		(161,960	)		372,070
	Technology		2,700		(2,700	)		—		—		—			—
	Total	$	1,280,490	$	(711,715	)	$	568,775	$	1,277,790	$	(777,245	)	$	500,545
	Intangible assets are amortized based on the expected pattern of consumption. We recorded amortization expense of $91.8 million, $82.3 million and $68.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	Scheduled amortization charges for the intangible assets over the next five years are as follows (in thousands):
	Year	Amount
	2015		60,215
	2016		48,491
	2017		42,254
	2018		38,481
	2019		34,351
	In accordance with FASB ASC 350, we are required to disclose on an interim and annual basis our policy related to the renewal or extension of the term of our intangible assets. Our policy is to expense all costs incurred to renew or extend the terms of our intangible assets. The renewal expenses for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were immaterial to our consolidated results of operations.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Note 12 Long-Term Debt
	The carrying values and fair values of our notes payable and long-term debt were as follows (in thousands):
		As of December 31, 2013					As of December 31, 2014
		Carrying Value			Fair Value		Carrying Value			Fair Value
	Intelsat Luxembourg:
	6.75% Senior Notes due June 2018	$	500,000		$	530,000	$	500,000		$	509,400
	7.75% Senior Notes due June 2021		2,000,000			2,145,000		2,000,000			2,005,000
	8.125% Senior Notes due June 2023		1,000,000			1,071,300		1,000,000			1,015,000
	Total Intelsat Luxembourg obligations		3,500,000			3,746,300		3,500,000			3,529,400
	Intelsat Jackson:
	8.5% Senior Notes due November 2019		500,000			545,650		—			—
	Unamortized discount on 8.5% Senior Notes		(2,864	)		—		—			—
	7.25% Senior Notes due October 2020		2,200,000			2,409,000		2,200,000			2,318,360
	Unamortized premium on 7.25% Senior Notes		17,799			—		15,699			—
	7.25% Senior Notes due April 2019		1,500,000			1,612,500		1,500,000			1,563,750
	7.5% Senior Notes due April 2021		1,150,000			1,267,875		1,150,000			1,227,625
	6.625% Senior Notes due December 2022		1,275,000			1,310,063		1,275,000			1,313,250
	Unamortized premium on 6.625% Senior Notes		37,918			—		34,669			—
	5.5% Senior Notes due August 2023		2,000,000			1,890,000		2,000,000			1,980,000
	Senior Secured Credit Facilities due June 2019		3,095,000			3,103,666		3,095,000			3,075,811
	Unamortized discount on Senior Credit Facilities		(9,857	)		—		(8,226	)		—
	Jackson Revolver		—			—		49,000			49,000
	Total Intelsat Jackson obligations		11,762,996			12,138,754		11,311,142			11,527,796
	Horizons Holdings:
	Loan Payable to JSAT		24,418			24,418		—			—
	Total Horizons Holdings obligation		24,418			24,418		—			—
	Total Intelsat S.A. long-term debt		15,287,414		$	15,909,472		14,811,142		$	15,057,196
	Less:
	Current portion of long-term debt		24,418					49,000
	Total long-term debt, excluding current portion	$	15,262,996				$	14,762,142
	The fair value for publicly traded instruments is determined using quoted market prices, and for non-publicly traded instruments, fair value is based upon composite pricing from a variety of sources, including market leading data providers, market makers, and leading brokerage firms. Substantially all of the inputs used to determine the fair value of our debt are classified as Level 1 inputs within the fair value hierarchy from FASB ASC 820, except our senior secured credit facilities, the inputs for which are classified as Level 2. The fair value of the Horizons Holdings obligation at December 31, 2014, approximated its book value.
	Required principal repayments of long-term debt over the next five years and thereafter as of December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
	Year	Amount
	2015	$	49,000
	2016		—
	2017		—
	2018		500,000
	2019		4,595,000
	2020 and thereafter		9,625,000
	Total principal repayments		14,769,000
	Unamortized discounts and premium		42,142
	Total Intelsat S.A. long-term debt	$	14,811,142
	2014 Intelsat Jackson Notes Redemption
	On November 1, 2014, Intelsat Jackson redeemed all of the outstanding $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 8 1⁄2% Senior Notes due 2019. In connection with the redemption these notes, we recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $40.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, consisting of the difference between the carrying value of the debt redeemed and the total cash amount paid (including related fees), and a write-off of unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs.
	2013 Intelsat Jackson Senior Secured Credit Facilities Prepayment
	In October 2013, Intelsat Jackson prepaid $100.0 million of indebtedness outstanding under the term loan facility. In connection with this prepayment, we recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $1.3 million, consisting of a write-off of unamortized debt issuance cost in the fourth quarter of 2013.
	2013 Intelsat Luxembourg Notes Offerings and Redemptions
	On April 5, 2013, Intelsat Luxembourg completed an offering of $3.5 billion aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes, consisting of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6 3⁄4% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “2018 Luxembourg Notes”), $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 7 3⁄4% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Luxembourg Notes”) and $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 8 1⁄8% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “2023 Luxembourg Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were used by Intelsat Luxembourg in April 2013 to redeem all $2.5 billion aggregate principal amount of Intelsat Luxembourg’s outstanding 11 1⁄2 / 12 1⁄2 % Senior PIK Election Notes and $754.8 million aggregate principal amount of its 11 1⁄4% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Senior Notes”).
	On May 23, 2013, Intelsat Luxembourg redeemed $366.4 million aggregate principal amount of the 2017 Senior Notes. The redemption of the 2017 Senior Notes was funded by insurance proceeds received from our total loss claim for the IS-27 satellite launch failure.
	In connection with these redemptions of the Intelsat Luxembourg notes, we recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $232.1 million in the second quarter of 2013, consisting of the difference between the carrying value of the aggregate debt redeemed and the total cash amount paid (including related fees), and a write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs.
	2013 Intelsat Investments Notes Redemption
	On May 23, 2013, Intelsat Investments redeemed all of the outstanding $353.6 million aggregate principal amount of the Intelsat Investments 6 1⁄2% Senior Notes due 2013 (the “Intelsat Investments Notes”) using proceeds of the IPO. In connection with the redemption of the Intelsat Investments Notes, we recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $24.2 million in the second quarter of 2013, consisting of the difference between the carrying value of the debt redeemed and the total cash paid (including related fees), and a write-off of unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs. Additionally, in conjunction with the redemption of the Intelsat Investments Notes, we terminated agreements with certain financial institutions that provided unsecured term loan commitments to refinance the Intelsat Investments Notes in the event that they were not otherwise refinanced or retired on or prior to maturity. We recorded a charge of $7.6 million related to this termination in the second quarter of 2013.
	2013 Intelsat Jackson New Senior Unsecured Credit Facility Prepayment
	On April 23, 2013, upon completion of the IPO, Intelsat Jackson prepaid $138.2 million of indebtedness outstanding under Intelsat Jackson’s Senior Unsecured Credit Agreement, dated July 1, 2008, consisting of a senior unsecured term loan facility due February 2014 (the “New Senior Unsecured Credit Facility”). The partial prepayment of the New Senior Unsecured Credit Facility was funded by the proceeds of the IPO. In connection with the partial prepayment of the New Senior Unsecured Credit Facility, we recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $0.2 million in the second quarter of 2013, consisting of a write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs.
	2013 Intelsat Jackson Notes Offerings, Credit Facility Prepayments and Redemptions
	On June 5, 2013 Intelsat Jackson completed an offering of $2.6 billion aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes, consisting of $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5 1⁄2% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “2023 Jackson Notes”) and $635.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6 5⁄8% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “2022 Jackson Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were used by Intelsat Jackson in June 2013 to prepay all $672.7 million of indebtedness outstanding under its New Senior Unsecured Credit Facility, and all $195.2 million of indebtedness outstanding under its Senior Unsecured Credit Agreement, consisting of a senior unsecured term loan facility due February 2014. The remaining net proceeds were used to redeem all of the remaining $1.7 billion aggregate principal amount outstanding of the 2017 Senior Notes.
	In connection with these prepayments and redemptions, we recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $110.3 million in the second quarter of 2013, consisting of the difference between the carrying value of the aggregate debt prepaid and redeemed and the total cash amount paid (including related fees), and a write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs.
	Description of Indebtedness
	(a) Intelsat Luxembourg
	6 3⁄4% Senior Notes due 2018
	Intelsat Luxembourg had $500 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2018 Luxembourg Notes outstanding at December 31, 2014. The 2018 Luxembourg Notes bear interest at 6 3⁄4% annually and mature in June 2018. The 2018 Luxembourg Notes are guaranteed by Intelsat S.A., Intelsat Investment Holdings S.à r.l., Intelsat Holdings S.A. and Intelsat Investments S.A. (the “Parent Guarantors”).
	Interest is payable on the 2018 Luxembourg Notes semi-annually on June 1 and December 1. Intelsat Luxembourg may redeem the 2018 Luxembourg Notes, in whole or in part, prior to June 1, 2015 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus the applicable premium described in the notes. Thereafter, Intelsat Luxembourg may redeem some or all of the notes at the applicable redemption prices set forth in the notes.
	Intelsat Luxembourg may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2018 Luxembourg Notes on or prior to June 1, 2015, with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings by Intelsat Luxembourg or its direct or indirect parent, under the conditions set forth in the notes.
	The 2018 Luxembourg Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Intelsat Luxembourg and rank equally with Intelsat Luxembourg’s other senior unsecured indebtedness.
7 3⁄4% Senior Notes due 2021
Intelsat Luxembourg had $2.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of the 2021 Luxembourg Notes outstanding at December 31, 2014. The 2021 Luxembourg Notes bear interest at 7  3⁄4% annually and mature in June 2021. The 2021 Luxembourg Notes are guaranteed by the Parent Guarantors.
Interest is payable on the 2021 Luxembourg Notes semi-annually on June 1 and December 1. Intelsat Luxembourg may redeem the 2021 Luxembourg Notes, in whole or in part, prior to June 1, 2017 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus the applicable premium described in the notes. Thereafter, Intelsat Luxembourg may redeem some or all of the notes at the applicable redemption prices set forth in the notes.
Intelsat Luxembourg may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2021 Luxembourg Notes on or prior to June 1, 2016, with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings by Intelsat Luxembourg or its direct or indirect parent, under the conditions set forth in the notes.
The 2021 Luxembourg Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Intelsat Luxembourg and rank equally with Intelsat Luxembourg’s other senior unsecured indebtedness.
8 1/8% Senior Notes due 2023
Intelsat Luxembourg had $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Luxembourg Notes outstanding at December 31, 2014. The 2023 Luxembourg Notes bear interest at 8 1/8% annually and mature in June 2023. The 2023 Luxembourg Notes are guaranteed by the Parent Guarantors.
Interest is payable on the 2023 Luxembourg Notes semi-annually on June 1 and December 1. Intelsat Luxembourg may redeem the 2023 Luxembourg Notes, in whole or in part, prior to June 1, 2018 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus the applicable premium described in the notes. Thereafter, Intelsat Luxembourg may redeem some or all of the notes at the applicable redemption prices set forth in the notes.
Intelsat Luxembourg may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Luxembourg Notes on or prior to June 1, 2016, with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings by Intelsat Luxembourg or its direct or indirect parent, under the conditions set forth in the notes.
The 2023 Luxembourg Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Intelsat Luxembourg and rank equally with Intelsat Luxembourg’s other senior unsecured indebtedness.
(b) Intelsat Jackson
7 1/4% Senior Notes due 2020
Intelsat Jackson had $2.2 billion in aggregate principal amount of 2020 Jackson Notes outstanding at December 31, 2014. The 2020 Jackson Notes bear interest at 7 1/4% annually and mature in October 2020. These notes are guaranteed by the Parent Guarantors, Intelsat Luxembourg and certain of Intelsat Jackson’s subsidiaries.
Interest is payable on the 2020 Jackson Notes semi-annually on April 15 and October 15. Intelsat Jackson may redeem some or all of the 2020 Jackson Notes at any time prior to October 15, 2015 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the applicable premium described in the respective notes. Thereafter, Intelsat Jackson may redeem some or all of the notes at the applicable redemption prices set forth in the notes.
The 2020 Jackson Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Intelsat Jackson and rank equally with Intelsat Jackson’s other senior unsecured indebtedness.
7 1⁄4% Senior Notes due 2019 and 7 1⁄2% Senior Notes due 2021
Intelsat Jackson had $1.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of its 7 1⁄4% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “7 1⁄4% 2019 Jackson Notes”) and $1.15 billion aggregate principal amount of its 7 1⁄2% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Jackson Notes” and, together with the 7 1⁄4% 2019 Jackson Notes, the “New Jackson Notes”) outstanding at December 31, 2014. The New Jackson Notes are guaranteed by the Parent Guarantors, Intelsat Luxembourg, and certain of Intelsat Jackson’s subsidiaries.
Interest is payable on the New Jackson Notes semi-annually on April 1 and October 1. Intelsat Jackson may redeem the 7 1⁄4% 2019 Jackson Notes and the 2021 Jackson Notes, in whole or in part, prior to April 1, 2015 and April 1, 2016, respectively, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus the applicable premium described in the respective notes.
The New Jackson Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Intelsat Jackson and rank equally with Intelsat Jackson’s other senior unsecured indebtedness.
6 5⁄8% Senior Notes due 2022
Intelsat Jackson had $1.3 billion in aggregate principal amount of the 2022 Intelsat Jackson Notes outstanding at December 31, 2014. The 2022 Intelsat Jackson Notes bear interest at 6 5⁄8% annually and mature in December 2022. These notes are guaranteed by the Parent Guarantors and Intelsat Luxembourg.
Interest is payable on the 2022 Intelsat Jackson Notes semi-annually on June 15 and December 15. Intelsat Jackson may redeem some or all of the 2022 Intelsat Jackson Notes at any time prior to December 15, 2017 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the applicable premium described in the notes. Thereafter, Intelsat Jackson may redeem some or all of the 2022 Intelsat Jackson Notes at the applicable redemption prices set forth in the notes.
Intelsat Jackson may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2022 Intelsat Jackson Notes on or prior to December 15, 2015, with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings by Intelsat Jackson or its direct or indirect parent, under the conditions set forth in the notes.
The 2022 Intelsat Jackson Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Intelsat Jackson and rank equally with Intelsat Jackson’s other senior unsecured indebtedness.
5 1⁄2% Senior Notes due 2023
Intelsat Jackson had $2.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Jackson Notes outstanding at December 31, 2014. The 2023 Jackson Notes bear interest at 5 1⁄2% annually and mature in August 2023. These notes are guaranteed by the Parent Guarantors, Intelsat Luxembourg and certain of Intelsat Jackson’s subsidiaries.
Interest is payable on the 2023 Jackson Notes semi-annually on February 1 and August 1. Intelsat Jackson may redeem some or all of the 2023 Jackson Notes at any time prior to August 1, 2018 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the applicable premium described in the notes. Thereafter, Intelsat Jackson may redeem some or all of the 2023 Intelsat Jackson Notes at the applicable redemption prices set forth in the notes.
Intelsat Jackson may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Jackson Notes prior to August 1, 2016, with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings by Intelsat Jackson or its direct or indirect parent, under the conditions set forth in the notes.
The 2023 Jackson Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Intelsat Jackson and rank equally with Intelsat Jackson’s other senior unsecured indebtedness.
Intelsat Jackson Senior Secured Credit Agreement
On January 12, 2011, Intelsat Jackson entered into a secured credit agreement (the “Intelsat Jackson Secured Credit Agreement”), which includes a $3.25 billion term loan facility and a $500.0 million revolving credit facility, and borrowed the full $3.25 billion under the term loan facility. The term loan facility requires regularly scheduled quarterly payments of principal equal to 0.25% of the original principal amount of the term loan beginning six months after January 12, 2011, with the remaining unpaid amount due and payable at maturity.
Up to $350.0 million of the revolving credit facility is available for issuance of letters of credit. Additionally, up to $70.0 million of the revolving credit facility is available for swingline loans. Both the face amount of any outstanding letters of credit and any swingline loans reduce availability under the revolving credit facility on a dollar for dollar basis. Intelsat Jackson is required to pay a commitment fee for the unused commitments under the revolving credit facility, if any, at a rate per annum of 0.375%. As of December 31, 2014, Intelsat Jackson had $438.9 million (net of standby letters of credit) of availability remaining thereunder.
On October 3, 2012, Intelsat Jackson entered into an Amendment and Joinder Agreement (the “Jackson Credit Agreement Amendment”), which amended the Intelsat Jackson Secured Credit Agreement. As a result of the Jackson Credit Agreement Amendment, interest rates for borrowings under the term loan facility and the revolving credit facility were reduced. In April 2013, our corporate family rating was upgraded by Moody’s, and as a result, the interest rate for the borrowing under the term loan facility and revolving credit facility were further reduced to LIBOR plus 3.00% or the Above Bank Rate (“ABR”) plus 2.00%.
On November 27, 2013, Intelsat Jackson entered into a Second Amendment and Joinder Agreement (the “Second Jackson Credit Agreement Amendment”), which further amended the Intelsat Jackson Secured Credit Agreement. The Second Jackson Credit Agreement Amendment reduced interest rates for borrowings under the term loan facility and extended the maturity of the term loan facility. In addition, it reduced the interest rates applicable to $450 million of the $500 million total revolving credit facility and extended the maturity of such portion. As a result of the Second Jackson Credit Agreement Amendment, interest rates for borrowings under the term loan facility and the new tranche of the revolving credit facility are (i) LIBOR plus 2.75%, or (ii) the ABR plus 1.75%. The LIBOR and the ABR, plus applicable margins, related to the term loan facility and the new tranche of the revolving credit facility are determined as specified in the Intelsat Jackson Secured Credit Agreement, as amended by the Second Jackson Credit Agreement Amendment, and the LIBOR will not be less than 1.00% per annum. The maturity date of the term loan facility was extended from April 2, 2018 to June 30, 2019 and the maturity of the new $450 million tranche of the revolving credit facility was extended from January 12, 2016 to July 12, 2017. The interest rates and maturity date applicable to the $50 million tranche of the revolving credit facility that was not amended did not change.
Intelsat Jackson’s obligations under the Intelsat Jackson Secured Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Intelsat Luxembourg, and certain of Intelsat Jackson’s subsidiaries. Intelsat Jackson’s obligations under the Intelsat Jackson Secured Credit Agreement are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the assets of Intelsat Jackson and the guarantors, to the extent legally permissible and subject to certain agreed exceptions, and by a pledge of the equity interests of the subsidiary guarantors and the direct subsidiaries of each guarantor, subject to certain exceptions, including exceptions for equity interests in certain non-U.S. subsidiaries, existing contractual prohibitions and prohibitions under other legal requirements.
The Intelsat Jackson Secured Credit Agreement includes two financial covenants. Intelsat Jackson must maintain a consolidated secured debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio equal to or less than 3.50 to 1.00 at the end of each fiscal quarter as well as a consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense ratio equal to or greater than 1.75 to 1.00 at the end of each fiscal quarter, in each case as such financial measures are defined in the Intelsat Jackson Secured Credit Agreement. Intelsat Jackson was in compliance with these financial maintenance covenant ratios with a consolidated secured debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio of 1.55 to 1.00 and a consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense ratio of 2.73 to 1.00 as of December 31, 2014.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Note 13 Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Interest Rate Swaps

We are subject to interest rate risk primarily associated with our variable-rate borrowings. Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates could adversely affect earnings and cash flows. Specific interest rate risk includes: the risk of increasing interest rates on short-term debt; the risk of increasing interest rates for planned new fixed long-term financings; and the risk of increasing interest rates for planned refinancing using long-term fixed-rate debt. We have entered into interest rate swap agreements to reduce the impact of interest rate movements on future interest expense by converting substantially all of our floating-rate debt to a fixed rate.

As of December 31, 2014, we held interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $1.6 billion which mature in January 2016. These swaps were entered into, as further described below, to economically hedge the variability in cash flow on a portion of the floating-rate term loans under our senior secured credit facilities, but have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes. On a quarterly basis, we receive a floating rate of interest equal to the three-month LIBOR and pay a fixed rate of interest. On the interest rate reset date of December 15, 2014, the interest rate which the counterparties utilized to compute interest due to us was determined to be 0.24%. From September 16, 2014 to December 15, 2014, the rate we paid averaged 1.97% and the rate we received averaged 0.23%.

The counterparties to our interest rate swap agreements are highly rated financial institutions. In the unlikely event that the counterparties fail to meet the terms of the interest rate swaps, our exposure is limited to the interest rate differential on the notional amount at each quarterly settlement period over the life of the agreement. We do not anticipate non-performance by the counterparties.

All of our interest rate swaps were undesignated as of December 31, 2014. The swaps are marked-to-market quarterly with any change in fair value included in interest expense, net in our consolidated statements of operations. We incorporate credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both our own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements of our derivatives. The fair value measurement of derivatives could result in either a net asset or a net liability position for us. In adjusting the fair value of our derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, we have considered the impact of netting arrangements as applicable and necessary. When the swaps are in a net liability position for us, the credit valuation adjustments are calculated by determining the total expected exposure of the derivatives, incorporating the current and potential future exposures and then applying an applicable credit spread to the exposure. The total expected exposure of a derivative is derived using market-observable inputs, such as yield curves and volatilities. The inputs utilized for our own credit spread are based on implied spreads from traded levels of our debt. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2014, we recorded a non-cash credit valuation adjustment of approximately $0.5 million as a reduction to our liability.

The following table sets forth the fair value of our derivatives by category (in thousands):

Derivatives not designated as hedging

Balance Sheet Location

December 31,

December 31,

instruments

2013

2014

Undesignated interest rate swaps

Other current liabilities

$

1,241

$

1,321

Undesignated interest rate swaps

Other long-term liabilities

47,578

24,788

Total derivatives

$

48,819

$

26,109

The following table sets forth the effect of the derivative instruments, included in interest expense, net in our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):

Derivatives not designated as

Presentation in Statements of

Year Ended

Year Ended

Year Ended

hedging instruments

Operations

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

2012

2013

2014

Undesignated interest rate swaps

Included in interest expense, net

$

39,935

$

8,064

$

5,649

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note 14 Income Taxes
	The following table summarizes our total income (loss) before income taxes (in thousands):
		Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
		December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
	Domestic income (loss) before income taxes	$	(627,617	)	$	(356,019	)	$	199,682
	Foreign income before income taxes		458,488			73,189			59,795
	Total income (loss) before income taxes	$	(169,129	)	$	(282,830	)	$	259,477
	The composition of our income (loss) between domestic and foreign sources changed in 2014 principally due to our IPO and the debt refinancing transactions in 2013, as well as a 2013 internal subsidiary reorganization.
	The provision for (benefit from) income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
		December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
	Current income tax provision:
	Domestic	$	1,019		$	856		$	2,306
	Foreign		41,239			33,654			33,311
	Total		42,258			34,510			35,617
	Deferred income tax benefit:
	Foreign		(61,889	)		(65,347	)		(12,646	)
	Total		(61,889	)		(65,347	)		(12,646	)
	Total income tax provision (benefit):	$	(19,631	)	$	(30,837	)	$	22,971
	The income tax provision (benefit) was different from the amount computed using the Luxembourg statutory income tax rate of 29.22% for the reasons set forth in the following table (in thousands):
		Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
		December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
	Expected tax provision (benefit) at Luxembourg statutory income tax rate	$	(48,709	)	$	(82,643	)	$	75,819
	Foreign income tax differential		33,118			35,511			40,099
	Nontaxable interest income		(136,478	)		(93,154	)		(53,361	)
	U.S. extraterritorial income exclusion tax benefit		(37,597	)		—			—
	Changes in unrecognized tax benefits		1,756			(3,997	)		1,229
	Changes in valuation allowance		174,038			171,433			(24,147	)
	Tax effect of 2011 Intercompany Sale		(6,416	)		(6,865	)		(6,740	)
	Foreign Tax Credits		—			(44,137	)		(2,147	)
	Research and Development Tax Credits		—			(5,890	)		(5,564	)
	Other		657			(1,095	)		(2,217	)
	Total income tax provision (benefit)	$	(19,631	)	$	(30,837	)	$	22,971
	The majority of our operations are subject to tax in Luxembourg, the United States, the United Kingdom and Brazil. Our Luxembourg companies that file tax returns as a consolidated group generated a loss for the year ended December 31, 2014. Due to our cumulative losses in recent years, and the inherent uncertainty associated with the realization of taxable income in the foreseeable future, we recorded a full valuation allowance against the cumulative net operating losses in Luxembourg as of December 31, 2013 and 2014. The difference between tax expense (benefit) reported in the consolidated statements of operations and tax computed at statutory rates is attributable to the valuation allowance on losses generated in Luxembourg, the provision for foreign taxes, which were principally in the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as withholding taxes on revenue earned in many of the foreign markets in which we operate.
	Our Luxembourg net operating loss includes the effect of Luxembourg GAAP to US GAAP differences, primarily related to fair value adjustments attributable to the migration of certain holding companies and subsidiaries’ jurisdiction of organization from Bermuda to Luxembourg on December 15, 2009 and the result of a series of internal transactions and related steps completed on January 12, 2011, that reorganized the ownership of our assets among our subsidiaries and effectively combined the legacy business of Intelsat Subsidiary Holding Company S.A. and Intelsat Corporation.
	The following table details the composition of the net deferred tax balances as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 (in thousands):
		As of			As of
		December 31,			December 31,
		2013			2014
	Current deferred taxes, net	$	44,475		$	76,315
	Long-term deferred taxes, net		(202,638	)		(211,680	)
	Other assets		9,246			9,157
	Net deferred taxes	$	(148,917	)	$	(126,208	)
	The components of the net deferred tax liability were as follows (in thousands):
		As of			As of
		December 31,			December 31,
		2013			2014
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accruals and advances	$	23,959		$	27,586
	Amortizable intangible assets		188,800			74,062
	Performance incentives		26,146			22,308
	Customer deposits		51,318			55,573
	Bad debt reserve		3,436			3,081
	Accrued retirement benefits		67,337			92,320
	Interest rate swap		568			295
	Satellites and other property and equipment		44,487			11,348
	Disallowed interest expense carryforward		95,427			108,446
	Net operating loss carryforward		1,265,624			1,343,444
	Tax credits		73,916			58,643
	Other		15,675			15,576
	Total deferred tax assets		1,856,693			1,812,682
Deferred tax liabilities:
Satellites and other property and equipment		(49,077	)		(32,811	)
Amortizable intangible assets		(44,297	)		(58,789	)
Non-amortizable intangible assets		(254,384	)		(223,878	)
Tax basis differences in investments and affiliates		(187,283	)		(219,049	)
Other		(5,863	)		(7,126	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(540,904	)		(541,653	)
Valuation allowance		(1,464,706	)		(1,397,237	)
Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(148,917	)	$	(126,208	)
As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, our consolidated balance sheets included a deferred tax asset in the amount of $1.3 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, attributable to the future benefit from the utilization of certain net operating loss carryforwards and $73.9 million and $67.9 million of deferred tax assets, respectively, attributable to the future benefit from the utilization of tax credit carryforwards. As of December 31, 2014, we had tax-effected U.S. federal, state and other foreign tax net operating loss carryforwards of $61.6 million expiring, for the most part, between 2019 and 2034 and tax effected Luxembourg net operating loss carryforwards of $1.3 billion without expiration. These Luxembourg net operating loss carryforwards were caused primarily by our interest expense, satellite depreciation and the amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets. Our alternative minimum tax credit carryforward of $21.0 million may be carried forward indefinitely, and the $4.4 million research and development credit may be carried forward to years between 2030 and 2034.
Our valuation allowance as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 was $1.5 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively. Almost all of the valuation allowance relates to Luxembourg net operating loss carryforwards and deferred tax assets created by differences between US GAAP and Luxembourg tax basis. Certain operations of our subsidiaries are controlled by various intercompany agreements which provide these subsidiaries with predictable operating profits. Other subsidiaries, principally Luxembourg subsidiaries, are subject to the risks of our overall business conditions which make their earnings less predictable.
The following table summarizes the activity related to our unrecognized tax benefits (in thousands):
	2013			2014
Balance at January 1	$	67,015		$	65,111
Increases related to current year tax positions		3,477			2,366
Increases related to prior year tax positions		3,107			2,629
Decreases related to prior year tax positions		(6,443	)		—
Expiration of statute of limitations for the assessment of taxes		(2,045	)		(2,971	)
Balance at December 31	$	65,111		$	67,135
As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014 our gross unrecognized tax benefits were $65.1 million and $67.1 million, respectively (including interest and penalties), of which $44.4 million and $45.6 million, respectively, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, we had recorded reserves for interest and penalties of $14.7 million and $17.3 million, respectively. We recognize interest and, to the extent applicable, penalties with respect to the unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Since December 31, 2013, the change in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits consisted of an increase of $2.6 million related to prior period tax positions, an increase of $2.3 million related to current tax positions, and decrease of $2.9 million due to the expiration of statute of limitations for the assessment of taxes.
We operate in various tax jurisdictions throughout the world and our tax returns are subject to audit and review from time to time. We consider Luxembourg, the United States, the United Kingdom and Brazil to be our significant tax jurisdictions. Our Luxembourg, U.S., U.K. and Brazilian companies are subject to federal, state and local income tax examination for periods after December 31, 2003.
We believe that there are no jurisdictions in which the outcome of unresolved tax issues or claims is likely to be material to our results of operations, financial position or cash flows within the next twelve months.
On March 7, 2013, Intelsat USA Sales Corporation (since January 2011, Intelsat USA Sales LLC, a disregarded subsidiary of Intelsat Corp) was notified by the U. S. Internal Revenue Service of its intent to initiate an audit for the tax year ending on December 31, 2010. Intelsat USA Sales LLC wholly owns Intelsat General Corporation, which provides services to U.S. government and other select military organizations and their contractors, as well as other commercial customers. On March 5, 2014, Intelsat USA Sales LLC received a letter from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service effectively closing the audit of this federal income tax return for 2010 with no adjustment. Certain previously unrecognized tax benefits were recognized as a result of the conclusion of this audit.
On March 3, 2014, Intelsat Corp, Intelsat Global Service LLC, Intelsat General Corporation, Intelsat USA License LLC and Intelsat USA Sales LLC were notified by the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue of its intent to initiate an audit for the tax years ending 2010 and 2011. At this point in time, it is too early to assess the probability of any adjustments resulting from these audits.
Tax Contingency
Prior to August 20, 2004, Intelsat Corp joined with The DIRECTV Group and General Motors Corporation in filing a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. In April 2004, Intelsat Corp entered into a tax separation agreement with The DIRECTV Group that superseded four earlier tax-related agreements among Intelsat Corp and its subsidiaries, The DIRECTV Group and certain of its affiliates. Pursuant to the tax separation agreement, The DIRECTV Group agreed to indemnify Intelsat Corp for all federal and consolidated state and local income taxes a taxing authority may attempt to collect from Intelsat Corp regarding any liability for the federal or consolidated state or local income taxes of General Motors Corporation and The DIRECTV Group, except those income taxes Intelsat Corp is required to pay under the tax separation agreement. In addition, The DIRECTV Group agreed to indemnify Intelsat Corp for any taxes (other than those taxes described in the preceding sentence) related to any periods or portions of such periods ending on, or prior to, the day of the closing of the PanAmSat Corporation recapitalization, which occurred on August 20, 2004, in amounts equal to 80% of the first $75.0 million of such other taxes and 100% of any other taxes in excess of the first $75.0 million. As a result, Intelsat Corp’s tax exposure after indemnification related to these periods is capped at $15.0 million, of which $4.0 million has been paid to date. The tax separation agreement with The DIRECTV Group is effective from August 20, 2004 until the expiration of the statute of limitations with respect to all taxes to which the tax separation agreement relates. As of both December 31, 2013 and 2014, we had a tax indemnification receivable of $1.5 million.

Contractual_Commitments

Contractual Commitments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contractual Commitments	Note 15 Contractual Commitments
	In the further development and operation of our commercial global communications satellite system, significant additional expenditures are anticipated. In connection with these and other expenditures, we have a significant amount of long-term debt, as described in “Note 12—Long-Term Debt.” In addition to these debt and related interest obligations, we have expenditures represented by other contractual commitments. The additional expenditures as of December 31, 2014 and the expected year of payment are as follows (in thousands):
		Satellite		Satellite		Operating		Sublease			Customer and		Total
		Construction		Performance		Leases		Rental			Vendor
		and Launch		Incentive				Income			Contracts
		Obligations		Obligations
	2015	$	539,966	$	36,552	$	13,230	$	(496	)	$	117,684	$	706,936
	2016		443,027		29,904		14,421		(436	)	$	30,381		517,297
	2017		387,680		28,263		13,278		(150	)	$	28,377		457,448
	2018		257,489		24,073		12,901		(156	)	$	32,504		326,811
	2019		90,833		22,076		12,824		(158	)	$	31,262		156,837
	2020 and thereafter		210,878		136,938		131,694		(694	)	$	13,355		492,171
	Total contractual commitments	$	1,929,873	$	277,806	$	198,348	$	(2,090	)	$	253,563	$	2,657,500
	(a) Satellite Construction and Launch Obligations
	As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately $1.9 billion of expenditures remaining under our existing satellite construction and launch contracts. Satellite launch and in-orbit insurance contracts related to future satellites to be launched are cancelable up to thirty days prior to the satellite’s launch. As of December 31, 2014, we did not have any non-cancelable commitments related to existing launch insurance or in-orbit insurance contracts for satellites to be launched.
	The satellite construction contracts typically require that we make progress payments during the period of the satellites’ construction. The satellite construction contracts contain provisions that allow us to terminate the contracts with or without cause. If terminated without cause, we would forfeit the progress payments and be subject to termination payments that escalate with the passage of time. If terminated for cause, we would be entitled to recover any payments we made under the contracts and certain liquidated damages as specified in the contracts.
	(b) Satellite Performance Incentive Obligations
	Satellite construction contracts also typically require that we make orbital incentive payments (plus interest as defined in each agreement with the satellite manufacturer) over the orbital life of the satellite. The incentive obligations may be subject to reduction or refund if the satellite fails to meet specific technical operating standards. As of December 31, 2014, we had $277.8 million of satellite performance incentive obligations, including future interest payments.
	(c) Operating Leases
	We have commitments for operating leases primarily relating to equipment and office facilities, including our New U.S. Administrative Headquarters in McLean, Virginia. As of December 31, 2014, the total obligation related to operating leases, net of sublease income on leased facilities and rental income, was $196.3 million. Rental income and sublease income are included in other expense, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
	Total rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, was $7.0 million, $13.1 million and $13.0 million, respectively.
	(d) Customer and Vendor Contracts
	We have contracts with certain customers that require us to provide equipment, services and other support during the term of the related contracts. We also have long-term contractual obligations with service providers primarily for the operation of certain of our satellites. As of December 31, 2014, we had commitments under these customer and vendor contracts which totaled approximately $253.6 million related to the provision of equipment, services and other support.

Contingencies

Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Note 16 Contingencies
	We are subject to litigation in the ordinary course of business. Management does not believe that the resolution of any pending proceedings would have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Business_and_Geographic_Segmen

Business and Geographic Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business and Geographic Segment Information	Note 17 Business and Geographic Segment Information
	We operate in a single industry segment in which we provide satellite services to our communications customers around the world. Revenue by region is based on the locations of customers to which services are billed. Our satellites are in geosynchronous orbit, and consequently are not attributable to any geographic location. Of our remaining assets, substantially all are located in the United States.
	We earn revenue primarily by providing services to our customers using our satellite transponder capacity. Our customers generally obtain satellite capacity from us by placing an order pursuant to one of several master customer service agreements. Our customer agreements also cover services that we procure from third parties and resell, which we refer to as off-network services. These services can include transponder services and other satellite-based transmission services in frequencies not available on our network. Under the category off-network and other revenues, we also include revenues from consulting and other services.
	The geographic distribution of our revenue based upon billing region of the customer was as follows:
		Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
		December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
	North America		46	%		45	%		45	%
	Europe		16	%		16	%		17	%
	Latin America and Caribbean		15	%		16	%		16	%
	Africa and Middle East		16	%		15	%		14	%
	Asia Pacific		7	%		8	%		8	%
	Approximately 4% of our revenue was derived from our largest customer during each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014. The ten largest customers accounted for approximately 25%, 25% and 26% of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	Our revenues were derived from the following services, with Off-Network and Other Revenues shown separately from On-Network Revenues (in thousands, except percentages):
		Year Ended						Year Ended					Year Ended
		December 31, 2012						December 31, 2013					December 31, 2014
	On-Network Revenues
	Transponder services	$	1,950,230			75	%	$	1,988,771		76	%	$	1,895,194	77	%
	Managed services		276,024			11	%		298,623		11	%		297,296	12	%
	Channel		91,805			4	%		72,123		3	%		58,669	2	%
	Total on-network revenues		2,318,059			89	%		2,359,517		91	%		2,251,159	91	%
	Off-Network and Other Revenues
	Transponder, MSS and other off-network services		234,143			9	%		194,601		7	%		172,624	7	%
	Satellite-related services		57,950			2	%		49,505		2	%		48,603	2	%
	Total off-network and other revenues		292,093			11	%		244,106		9	%		221,227	9	%
	Total	$	2,610,152			100	%	$	2,603,623		100	%	$	2,472,386	100	%

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Note 18 Related Party Transactions
	(a) Shareholders’ Agreements
	Certain shareholders of Intelsat Global S.A. entered into shareholders’ agreements on February 4, 2008. The shareholders’ agreements were assigned to Intelsat S.A. by amendments effective as of March 30, 2012. The shareholders’ agreements and the articles of incorporation of Intelsat S.A. provided, among other things, for the governance of Intelsat S.A. and its subsidiaries and provided specific rights to and limitations upon the holders of Intelsat S.A.’s share capital with respect to shares held by such holders. In connection with the IPO in April 2013, these articles of incorporation and shareholders’ agreements were amended.
	(b) Monitoring Fee Agreement
	Intelsat Luxembourg, our wholly-owned subsidiary, and affiliates of the Company’s primary shareholders had a monitoring fee agreement dated February 4, 2008 (the “2008 MFA”) with BC Partners Limited and Silver Lake Management Company III, L.L.C. (together, the “2008 MFA Parties”), pursuant to which the 2008 MFA Parties provided certain monitoring, advisory and consulting services to Intelsat Luxembourg.
	In connection with the IPO in April 2013, the 2008 MFA was terminated and we paid a fee of $39.1 million to the 2008 MFA Parties in connection with the termination. The $39.1 million payment, together with a write-off of $17.2 million of prepaid fees relating to the balance of 2013, were expensed upon consummation of the IPO, and are included within selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statement of operations. We recorded expense for services associated with the 2008 MFA of $25.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 and we recorded expense for services associated with, and including the termination of, the 2008 MFA of $64.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	(c) Governance Agreement
	Prior to the consummation of the IPO, we entered into a governance agreement (the “Governance Agreement”) with our shareholder affiliated with BC Partners (the “BC Shareholder”), our shareholder affiliated with Silver Lake (the “Silver Lake Shareholder”) and David McGlade (collectively with the BC Shareholder and the Silver Lake Shareholder, the “Governance Shareholders”). The Governance Agreement contains provisions relating to the composition of our board of directors and certain other matters.
	(d) Indemnification Agreements
	We have entered into agreements with our executive officers and directors to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in our articles of incorporation.
	(e) Horizons Holdings
	We have a 50% ownership interest in Horizons Holdings as a result of a joint venture with JSAT (see Note 10(a)—Investments—Horizons Holdings).
	(f) WP Com
	We had a 49% ownership interest in WP Com as a result of a joint venture with Corporativo. On December 29, 2014, we acquired the remaining interests in WP Com (see Note 10(c)—Investments—WP Com).

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation

Quarterly Results of Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Results of Operations	Note 19 Quarterly Results of Operations (in thousands, unaudited)
		Quarter Ended
	2013	March 31			June 30			September 30		December 31
	Revenue	$	655,127		$	653,803		$	651,844	$	642,848
	Income from operations		311,914			251,181			315,948		333,394
	Net income (loss)		(6,916	)		(407,266	)		88,574		73,615
	Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.		(7,804	)		(408,305	)		87,798		72,631
	Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders		(7,804	)		(418,501	)		87,798		72,631
	Net income (loss) per share attributable to Intelsat S.A.:
	Basic	$	(0.09	)	$	(4.19	)	$	0.83	$	0.69
	Diluted		(0.09	)		(4.19	)		0.75		0.62
		Quarter Ended
	2014	31-Mar			30-Jun			September 30		December 31
	Revenue	$	628,890		$	615,749		$	608,625	$	619,122
	Income from operations		328,700			315,060			310,811		292,707
	Net income		82,896			67,771			68,620		17,220
	Net income attributable to Intelsat S.A.		81,946			66,768			67,624		16,194
	Net income attributable to common shareholders		81,946			56,851			67,624		16,194
	Net income per share attributable to Intelsat S.A.:
	Basic	$	0.77		$	0.53		$	0.63	$	0.15
	Diluted		0.7			0.53			0.58		0.14
	Our quarterly revenue and operating income are generally not impacted by seasonality as customer contracts for satellite utilization are generally long-term.
	The quarter ended June 30, 2013 included a $366.8 million loss on early extinguishment of debt related to the repayment of debt in connection with the 2013 Intelsat Luxembourg Notes Offerings and Redemptions, the 2013 Intelsat Investments Notes Redemption, the 2013 Intelsat Jackson New Senior Unsecured Credit Facility Prepayment and the 2013 Intelsat Jackson Notes Offerings, Credit Facility Prepayments and Redemptions. The quarter ended June 30, 2013 also included expenses in connection with the IPO, including a $39.1 million payment associated with the termination of the 2008 MFA, a write-off of $17.2 million in prepaid fees for the balance of 2013 related to the 2008 MFA and a pre-tax charge of $21.3 million associated with the IPO-Related Compensation Charges.
	The quarter ended March 31, 2014 included a $14.0 million decline in revenue compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2013 as well as a decrease in direct costs of sales, an increase in litigation-related expenses and a decrease in bad debt expenses. The quarters ended June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014 had continued declines in revenues. The quarter ended December 31, 2014 included a $40.4 million loss on early extinguishment of debt related to the redemption of debt in connection with the 2014 Intelsat Jackson Notes Redemption and $5.0 million payment for development costs.

Supplemental_Consolidating_Fin

Supplemental Consolidating Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Supplemental Consolidating Financial Information	Note 20 Supplemental Consolidating Financial Information
	On April 5, 2011, Intelsat Jackson completed an offering of $2.65 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes, consisting of $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of the 7 1/4% Senior Notes due 2019 and $1.15 billion aggregate principal amount of the 7 1/2% Senior Notes due 2021 (collectively the “2011 Jackson Notes”). The 2011 Jackson Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by Intelsat S.A., Intelsat Holdings, Intelsat Investment Holdings S.à r.l. and Intelsat Investments (collectively, the “Parent Guarantors”); Intelsat Luxembourg and certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of Intelsat Jackson (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”).
	On April 26, 2012, Intelsat Jackson completed an offering of $1.2 billion aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Jackson Notes, which are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the Parent Guarantors, Intelsat Luxembourg and the Subsidiary Guarantors.
	Separate financial statements of the Parent Guarantors, Intelsat Luxembourg, Intelsat Jackson and the Subsidiary Guarantors are not presented because management believes that such financial statements would not be material to investors. Investments in Intelsat Jackson’s subsidiaries in the following condensed consolidating financial information are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Consolidating adjustments include the following:
		•		elimination of investment in subsidiaries;
		•		elimination of intercompany accounts;
		•		elimination of intercompany sales between guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries; and
		•		elimination of equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries.
	We had other comprehensive loss of $6.9 million, other comprehensive income of $58.0 million and other comprehensive loss of $52.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013and 2014, respectively. Other comprehensive income (loss) is fully attributable to the Subsidiary Guarantors, which are also consolidated within Intelsat Jackson.
	INTELSAT S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
			Intelsat			Intelsat			Intelsat			Jackson			Non-			Consolidation			Consolidated
			S.A. and			Luxembourg			Jackson			Subsidiary			Guarantor			and
			Other									Guarantors			Subsidiaries			Eliminations
			Parent
			Guarantors
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	6,229		$	1,068		$	63,633		$	63,144		$	52,217		$	(63,144	)	$	123,147
	Receivables, net of allowance			12			—			167,621			167,569			52,825			(167,569	)		220,458
	Deferred income taxes			—			—			74,466			74,466			1,849			(74,466	)		76,315
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets			940			—			27,938			27,880			9,334			(30,147	)		35,945
	Intercompany receivables			—			134,093			356,680			285,453			—			(776,226	)		—
	Total current assets			7,181			135,161			690,338			618,512			116,225			(1,111,552	)		455,865
	Satellites and other property and equipment, net			—			—			5,761,839			5,761,839			118,425			(5,761,839	)		5,880,264
	Goodwill			—			—			6,780,827			6,780,827			—			(6,780,827	)		6,780,827
	Non-amortizable intangible assets			—			—			2,458,100			2,458,100			—			(2,458,100	)		2,458,100
	Amortizable intangible assets, net			—			—			500,545			500,545			—			(500,545	)		500,545
	Investment in affiliates			(270,172	)		3,084,655			141,594			141,594			—			(3,097,671	)		—
	Other assets			88			37,245			346,521			240,844			9,900			(240,844	)		393,754
	Total assets		$	(262,903	)	$	3,257,061		$	16,679,764		$	16,502,261		$	244,550		$	(19,951,378	)	$	16,469,355
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	28,818		$	—		$	154,445		$	154,124		$	24,585		$	(156,390	)	$	205,582
	Accrued interest payable			—			22,500			138,971			1,803			24			(1,803	)		161,495
	Current portion of long-term debt			—			—			49,000			—			—			—			49,000
	Deferred satellite performance incentives			—			—			19,793			19,793			1,164			(19,793	)		20,957
	Other current liabilities			—			—			183,677			182,356			6,353			(182,356	)		190,030
	Intercompany payables			450,846			—			—			—			39,928			(490,774	)		—
	Total current liabilities			479,664			22,500			545,886			358,076			72,055			(851,116	)		627,064
	Long-term debt, net of current portion			—			3,500,000			11,262,142			—			—			—			14,762,142
	Deferred satellite performance incentives, net of current portion			—			—			163,360			163,360			—			(163,360	)		163,360
	Deferred revenue, net of current portion			—			—			966,832			966,832			486			(966,832	)		967,318
	Deferred income taxes			—			—			201,212			201,212			10,468			(201,212	)		211,680
	Accrued retirement benefits			—			—			262,536			262,536			370			(262,536	)		262,906
	Other long-term liabilities			—			—			193,141			168,353			24,311			(168,353	)		217,452
	Shareholders’ equity (deficit):
	Common shares			1,067			7,202			3,466,429			7,535,655			24			(11,009,310	)		1,067
	Preferred shares			35			—			—			—			—			—			35
	Other shareholders’ equity (deficit)			(743,669	)		(272,641	)		(381,774	)		6,846,237			136,837			(6,328,659	)		(743,669	)
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	(262,903	)	$	3,257,061		$	16,679,764		$	16,502,261		$	244,550		$	(19,951,378	)	$	16,469,355
	(Certain totals may not add due to the effects of rounding)
	INTELSAT S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2013
	(in thousands)
			Intelsat			Intelsat			Intelsat			Jackson			Non-			Consolidation			Consolidated
			S.A. and			Luxembourg			Jackson			Subsidiary			Guarantor			and
			Other									Guarantors			Subsidiaries			Eliminations
			Parent
			Guarantors
	ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	3,792		$	139		$	193,090		$	167,800		$	50,769		$	(167,800	)	$	247,790
Receivables, net of allowance			—			—			160,023			159,656			76,324			(159,656	)		236,347
Deferred income taxes			—			—			46,228			46,228			(1,753	)		(46,228	)		44,475
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			1,272			—			25,846			25,794			6,738			(26,426	)		33,224
Intercompany receivables			—			—			421,504			386,820			20,609			(828,933	)		—
Total current assets			5,064			139			846,691			786,298			152,687			(1,229,043	)		561,836
Satellites and other property and equipment, net			—			—			5,698,952			5,698,952			147,106			(5,739,470	)		5,805,540
Goodwill			—			—			6,780,827			6,780,827			—			(6,780,827	)		6,780,827
Non-amortizable intangible assets			—			—			2,458,100			2,458,100			—			(2,458,100	)		2,458,100
Amortizable intangible assets, net			—			—			568,775			568,775			—			(568,775	)		568,775
Investment in affiliates			(428,647	)		3,053,901			227,320			227,320			—			(3,079,894	)		—
Other assets			88			41,497			362,636			222,679			10,371			(222,679	)		414,592
Total assets		$	(423,495	)	$	3,095,537		$	16,943,301		$	16,742,951		$	310,164		$	(20,078,788	)	$	16,589,670
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	28,795		$	32		$	132,454		$	130,178		$	22,290		$	(130,810	)	$	182,939
Accrued interest payable			—			22,500			163,820			2,458			172			(2,458	)		186,492
Current portion of long-term debt			—			—			—			—			24,418			—			24,418
Deferred satellite performance incentives			—			—			21,089			21,089			1,614			(21,089	)		22,703
Other current liabilities			—			—			154,014			152,772			3,011			(152,772	)		157,025
Intercompany payables			441,907			206			—			—			—			(442,113	)		—
Total current liabilities			470,702			22,738			471,377			306,497			51,505			(749,242	)		573,577
Long-term debt, net of current portion			—			3,500,000			11,762,996			—			—			—			15,262,996
Deferred satellite performance incentives, net of current portion			—			—			153,023			153,023			881			(153,023	)		153,904
Deferred revenue, net of current portion			—			—			887,446			887,446			793			(887,446	)		888,239
Deferred income taxes			—			—			191,298			191,298			11,388			(191,346	)		202,638
Accrued retirement benefits			—			—			196,657			196,657			199			(196,657	)		196,856
Other long-term liabilities			—			—			226,603			179,025			19,524			(179,025	)		246,127
Shareholders’ equity (deficit):
Common shares			1,060			7,202			3,466,429			9,023,860			24			(12,497,515	)		1,060
Preferred shares			35			—			—			—			—			—			35
Other shareholders’ equity (deficit)			(895,292	)		(434,403	)		(412,528	)		5,805,145			225,850			(5,224,534	)		(935,762	)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	(423,495	)	$	3,095,537		$	16,943,301		$	16,742,951		$	310,164		$	(20,078,788	)	$	16,589,670
(Certain totals may not add due to the effects of rounding)
INTELSAT S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014
(in thousands)
		Intelsat			Intelsat			Intelsat			Jackson						Consolidation			Consolidated
		S.A. and			Luxembourg			Jackson			Subsidiary			Non-			and
		Other									Guarantors			Guarantor			Eliminations
		Parent												Subsidiaries
		Guarantors
Revenue		$	—		$	—		$	2,281,331		$	2,281,348		$	592,317		$	(2,682,610	)	$	2,472,386
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)			—			—			257,999			257,999			491,460			(659,110	)		348,348
Selling, general and administrative			7,547			139			132,379			131,874			57,493			(132,025	)		197,407
Depreciation and amortization			—			—			644,597			644,597			34,754			(644,597	)		679,351
Total operating expenses			7,547			139			1,034,975			1,034,470			583,707			(1,435,732	)		1,225,106
Income (loss) from operations			(7,547	)		(139	)		1,246,356			1,246,878			8,610			(1,246,878	)		1,247,280
Interest expense, net			10,153			274,253			660,763			6,605			(382	)		(6,605	)		944,787
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			—			—			(40,423	)		—			—			—			(40,423	)
Subsidiary income			250,281			545,402			14,729			14,729			—			(825,141	)		—
Other income (expense), net			2			—			2,864			2,770			(5,461	)		(2,768	)		(2,593	)
Income before income taxes			232,583			271,010			562,763			1,257,772			3,531			(2,068,182	)		259,477
Provision for income taxes			53			—			17,361			17,268			5,557			(17,268	)		22,971
Net income (loss)			232,530			271,010			545,402			1,240,504			(2,026	)		(2,050,914	)		236,506
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			—			(3,974	)		—			(3,974	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat, S.A.			232,530			271,010			545,402			1,240,504			(6,000	)		(2,050,914	)		232,532
Cumulative preferred dividends			(9,917	)		—			—			—			—			—			(9,917	)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders		$	222,613		$	271,010		$	545,402		$	1,240,504		$	(6,000	)	$	(2,050,914	)	$	222,615
(Certain totals may not add due to the effects of rounding)
INTELSAT S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
(in thousands)
		Intelsat			Intelsat			Intelsat			Jackson			Non-			Consolidation			Consolidated
		S.A. and			Luxembourg			Jackson			Subsidiary			Guarantor			and
		Other									Guarantors			Subsidiaries			Eliminations
		Parent
		Guarantors
Revenue		$	—		$	—		$	2,382,169		$	2,382,201		$	663,354		$	(2,824,101	)	$	2,603,623
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)			—			—			266,869			266,869			504,983			(662,952	)		375,769
Selling, general and administrative			62,861			8,167			155,035			152,961			62,469			(153,026	)		288,467
Depreciation and amortization			—			—			705,165			705,165			34,623			(708,386	)		736,567
Gain on satellite insurance recoveries			—			—			(9,618	)		(9,618	)		—			9,618			(9,618	)
Total operating expenses			62,861			8,167			1,117,451			1,115,377			602,075			(1,514,746	)		1,391,185
Income (loss) from operations			(62,861	)		(8,167	)		1,264,718			1,266,824			61,279			(1,309,355	)		1,212,438
Interest (income) expense, net			40,916			438,052			644,838			(10,042	)		(1,545	)		10,042			1,122,261
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			(24,185	)		(341,351	)		(2,553	)		—			—			—			(368,089	)
Subsidiary income (loss)			(85,180	)		728,465			70,409			70,409			—			(784,103	)		—
Other income (expense), net			(7	)		—			577			42,772			(5,488	)		(42,772	)		(4,918	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			(213,149	)		(59,105	)		688,313			1,390,047			57,336			(2,146,272	)		(282,830	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes			—			—			(40,152	)		(38,819	)		9,315			38,819			(30,837	)
Net income (loss)			(213,149	)		(59,105	)		728,465			1,428,866			48,021			(2,185,091	)		(251,993	)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			—			(3,687	)		—			(3,687	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.			(213,149	)		(59,105	)		728,465			1,428,866			44,334			(2,185,091	)		(255,680	)
Cumulative preferred dividends			(10,196	)		—			—			—			—			—			(10,196	)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders		$	(223,345	)	$	(59,105	)	$	728,465		$	1,428,866		$	44,334		$	(2,185,091	)	$	(265,876	)
(Certain totals may not add due to the effects of rounding)
INTELSAT S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
(in thousands)
		Intelsat			Intelsat			Intelsat			Jackson			Non-			Consolidation			Consolidated
		S.A. and			Luxembourg			Jackson			Subsidiary			Guarantor			and
		Other									Guarantors			Subsidiaries			Eliminations
		Parent
		Guarantors
Revenue		$	—		$	—		$	2,318,470		$	2,318,479		$	732,274		$	(2,759,071	)	$	2,610,152
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)			—			—			271,230			291,757			585,263			(732,350	)		415,900
Selling, general and administrative			4,247			25,264			124,695			123,465			49,819			(123,465	)		204,025
Depreciation and amortization			—			—			726,224			709,120			40,061			(710,502	)		764,903
Total operating expenses			4,247			25,264			1,122,149			1,124,342			675,143			(1,566,317	)		1,384,828
Income (loss) from operations			(4,247	)		(25,264	)		1,196,321			1,194,137			57,131			(1,192,754	)		1,225,324
Interest (income) expense, net			67,377			610,771			619,650			(223,283	)		12,985			223,283			1,310,783
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			—			—			(67,709	)		—			(5,833	)		—			(73,542	)
Subsidiary income (loss)			(58,552	)		587,519			25,510			25,510			—			(579,987	)		—
Other income (expense), net			(13	)		(1	)		18,944			18,951			(6,724	)		(41,285	)		(10,128	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			(130,189	)		(48,517	)		553,416			1,461,881			31,589			(2,037,309	)		(169,129	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes			—			—			(34,103	)		(34,103	)		14,475			34,100			(19,631	)
Net income (loss)			(130,189	)		(48,517	)		587,519			1,495,984			17,114			(2,071,409	)		(149,498	)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			—			(1,639	)		—			(1,639	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.		$	(130,189	)	$	(48,517	)	$	587,519		$	1,495,984		$	15,475		$	(2,071,409	)	$	(151,137	)
(Certain totals may not add due to the effects of rounding)
INTELSAT S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014
(in thousands)
		Intelsat S.A.			Intelsat			Intelsat			Jackson			Non-			Consolidation			Consolidated
		and Other			Luxembourg			Jackson			Subsidiary			Guarantor			and Eliminations
		Parent									Guarantors			Subsidiaries
		Guarantors
Cash flows from operating activities:		$	(1,366	)	$	(270,171	)	$	1,253,342		$	1,887,340		$	64,363		$	(1,887,338	)	$	1,046,170
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)			—			—			(639,603	)		(639,603	)		(5,821	)		639,603			(645,424	)
Repayment from (disbursements for) intercompany loans			9,214			—			3,873			3,873			—			(16,960	)		—
Investment in subsidiaries			(3,790	)		—			(194	)		(194	)		—			4,178			—
Dividend from affiliates			8,300			279,400			33,943			33,943			—			(355,586	)		—
Other investing activities			—			—			174			174			—			(174	)		174
Net cash provided by (used in)investing activities			13,724			279,400			(601,807	)		(601,807	)		(5,821	)		271,061			(645,250	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt			—			—			(586,000	)		—			(24,418	)		—			(610,418	)
Payment of premium on early extinguishment of debt			—			—			(21,250	)		—			—			—			(21,250	)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			—			—			135,000			—			—			—			135,000
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing			(4,233	)		—			(9,214	)		—			360			13,087			—
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders			(9,919	)		—			—			—			—			—			(9,919	)
Capital contribution from parent						—			—			103,698			3,984			(107,682	)		—
Dividends to shareholders			—			(8,300	)		(279,400	)		(1,473,781	)		(33,943	)		1,795,424			—
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives			—			—			(18,705	)		(18,705	)		(1,069	)		18,705			(19,774	)
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			—			12,209			—			12,209
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			—			(8,744	)		—			(8,744	)
Other financing activities			4,231			—			(338	)		(338	)		—			338			3,893
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(9,921	)		(8,300	)		(779,907	)		(1,389,126	)		(51,621	)		1,719,872			(519,003	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			—			—			(1,085	)		(1,063	)		(5,473	)		1,061			(6,560	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			2,437			929			(129,457	)		(104,656	)		1,448			104,656			(124,643	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			3,792			139			193,090			167,800			50,769			(167,800	)		247,790
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	6,229		$	1,068		$	63,633		$	63,144		$	52,217		$	(63,144	)	$	123,147
(Certain totals may not add due to the effects of rounding)
INTELSAT S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
(in thousands)
		Intelsat S.A.			Intelsat			Intelsat			Jackson			Non-			Consolidation			Consolidated
		and Other			Luxembourg			Jackson			Subsidiary			Guarantor			and Eliminations
		Parent									Guarantors			Subsidiaries
		Guarantors
Cash flows from operating activities:		$	(108,561	)	$	(622,489	)	$	1,406,174		$	1,785,702		$	41,767		$	(1,785,701	)	$	716,892
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)			—			—			(591,762	)		(591,762	)		(9,030	)		591,762			(600,792	)
Proceeds from insurance settlements			—			—			487,930			487,930			—			(487,930	)		487,930
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds			—			—			(19,199	)		(19,199	)		—			19,199			(19,199	)
Repayment from (disbursements for) intercompany loans			(23,644	)		—			(2,223,001	)		(593,753	)		3,493			2,836,905			—
Investment in subsidiaries			(11,436	)		(17,248	)		(324	)		(324	)		—			29,332			—
Dividend from affiliates			20,181			524,812			9,811			9,811			—			(564,615	)		—
Other investing activities			—			—			(2,000	)		(2,000	)		—			2,000			(2,000	)
Net cash provided by (used in)investing activities			(14,899	)		507,564			(2,338,545	)		(709,297	)		(5,537	)		2,426,653			(134,061	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt			(353,550	)		(5,307,986	)		(1,218,208	)		—			(24,418	)		—			(6,904,162	)
Repayment of notes payable to former shareholders			(868	)		—			—			—			—			—			(868	)
Payment of premium on early extinguishment of debt			(9,395	)		(301,762	)		(67	)		—			—			—			(311,224	)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			—			3,500,000			2,754,688			—			—			—			6,254,688
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing			(52,391	)		2,289,335			20,151			(44,111	)		(13,943	)		(2,199,041	)		—
Debt issuance costs			—			(44,433	)		(40,412	)		—			—			—			(84,845	)
Proceeds from initial public offering			572,500			—			—			—			—			—			572,500
Stock issuance costs			(26,683	)		—			—			—			—			—			(26,683	)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders			(5,235	)		—			—			—			—			—			(5,235	)
Capital contribution from parent						—			17,248			45,062			11,760			(74,070	)		—
Dividends to shareholders			—			(20,181	)		(524,812	)		(1,024,160	)		(9,811	)		1,578,964			—
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives			—			—			(16,509	)		(16,509	)		(993	)		16,508			(17,503	)
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			—			12,209			—			12,209
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			—			(8,671	)		—			(8,671	)
Other financing activities			2,800			—			471			471			—			(471	)		3,271
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			127,178			114,973			992,550			(1,039,247	)		(33,867	)		(678,110	)		(516,523	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(7	)		—			(468	)		(465	)		(5,528	)		465			(6,003	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			3,711			48			59,711			36,693			(3,165	)		(36,693	)		60,305
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			81			91			133,379			131,107			53,934			(131,107	)		187,485
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	3,792		$	139		$	193,090		$	167,800		$	50,769		$	(167,800	)	$	247,790
(Certain totals may not add due to the effects of rounding)
INTELSAT S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
(in thousands)
		Intelsat S.A.			Intelsat			Intelsat			Jackson			Non-			Consolidation and			Consolidated
		and Other			Luxembourg			Jackson			Subsidiary			Guarantor			Eliminations
		Parent									Guarantors			Subsidiaries
		Guarantors
Cash flows from operating activities:		$	(40,535	)	$	(626,653	)	$	1,320,065		$	1,379,396		$	168,433		$	(1,379,396	)	$	821,310
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)			—			—			(857,311	)		(857,311	)		(8,705	)		857,311			(866,016	)
Proceeds from sale of building, net of fees			—			—			82,415			82,415			—			(82,415	)		82,415
Repayment from (disbursements for) intercompany loans			—			—			10,435			(221,460	)		—			211,025			—
Investment in subsidiaries			(5,549	)		—			208			208			—			5,133			—
Dividend from affiliates			32,481			658,318			17,423			17,423			—			(725,645	)		—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			26,932			658,318			(746,830	)		(978,725	)		(8,705	)		265,409			(783,601	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt			—			—			(2,364,508	)		—			(110,303	)		—			(2,474,811	)
Repayment of notes payable to former shareholders			(1,683	)		—			—			—			—			—			(1,683	)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			—			—			2,451,521			—			—			—			2451521
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing			12,845			—			—			—			(23,280	)		10,435			—
												—
Debt issuance costs			—			—			(27,384	)		—			—			—			(27,384	)
Payment of premium on early extinguishment of debt			—			—			(65,920	)		—			—			—			(65,920	)
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			—			12,209			—			12,209
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			—			(8,838	)		—			(8,838	)
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives			—			—			(14,833	)		(14,833	)		(1,136	)		14,833			(15,969	)
Principal payments on capital lease obligations			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Capital contribution from parent			—			—			—			57,657			5,341			(62,998	)		—
Dividends to shareholders			—			(32,481	)		(658,318	)		(549,712	)		(17,423	)		1,257,934			—
Repurchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest			—			—			—			—			(8,744	)		—			(8,744	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			11,162			(32,481	)		(679,442	)		(506,888	)		(152,174	)		1,220,204			(139,619	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(13	)		(1	)		(589	)		(582	)		(6,726	)		582			(7,329	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			(2,454	)		(817	)		(106,796	)		(106,799	)		828			106,799			(109,239	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			2,535			908			240,175			237,906			53,106			(237,906	)		296,724
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	81		$	91		$	133,379		$	131,107		$	53,934		$	(131,107	)	$	187,485
(Certain totals may not add due to the effects of rounding)

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
	Description	Balance at		Charged to		Deductions			Balance at
		Beginning		Costs and					End of
		of		Expenses					Period
		Period
		(in thousands)
	Year ended December 31, 2012:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	20,830	$	8,911	$	(6,158	)	$	23,583
	Year ended December 31, 2013:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	23,583	$	29,599	$	(17,894	)	$	35,288
	Year ended December 31, 2014:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	35,288	$	2,306	$	(2,420	)	$	35,174

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	(a) Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Intelsat S.A., its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and variable interest entities (“VIE”) of which we are the primary beneficiary. We are the primary beneficiary of one VIE, as more fully described in Note 10—Investments, and accordingly, we include in our consolidated financial statements the assets and liabilities and results of operations of the entity, even though we may not own a majority voting interest. We use the equity method to account for our investments in entities where we exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies but do not retain control under either the voting interest model (generally 20% to 50% ownership interest) or the variable interest model. We have eliminated all significant intercompany accounts and transactions.
Use of Estimates	(b) Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods, and the disclosures of contingent liabilities. Accordingly, ultimate results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition	(c) Revenue Recognition
	We earn revenue from providing satellite services and managed services to customers. We enter into contracts with customers to provide satellite transponders and transponder capacity and, in certain cases, earth stations and teleport facilities, for periods typically ranging from one year to the life of the satellite. Our revenue recognition policies are as follows:
	Satellite Utilization Charges. We generally recognize revenues on a straight-line basis over the term of the related customer contract unless collectability is not reasonably assured. Revenues from occasional use services are recognized as the services are performed. We have certain obligations, including providing spare or substitute capacity if available, in the event of satellite service failure under certain long-term agreements. We generally are not obligated to refund satellite utilization payments previously made.
	Satellite Related Consulting and Technical Services. We recognize revenue from the provision of consulting services as those services are performed. We recognize revenue for consulting services with specific deliverables, such as Transfer Orbit Support Services or training programs, upon the completion of those services.
	Tracking, Telemetry and Commanding (“TT&C”). We earn TT&C services revenue from providing operational services to other satellite owners and from certain customers on our satellites. TT&C agreements entered into in connection with our satellite utilization contracts are typically for the period of the related service agreement. We recognize this revenue ratably over the term of the service agreement.
	In-Orbit Backup Services. We provide back-up transponder capacity that is held on reserve for certain customers on agreed-upon terms. We recognize revenues for in-orbit protection services ratably over the term of the related agreement.
	Revenue Share Arrangements. We recognize revenues under revenue share agreements for satellite-related services either on a gross or net basis in accordance with the principal versus agent considerations topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) or (the “Codification”) which provides guidance and specifies when an entity should report revenue gross as a principal versus net as an agent, depending on the nature of the specific contractual relationship.
	Construction Program Management. Construction program management arrangements that extend beyond one year are accounted for in accordance with the Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts topic of the Codification. We generally account for long-term, fixed price, development and production contracts under the percentage of completion method. We measure progress towards contract completion using the cost-to-cost method.
	We may sell these products or services individually or in some combination to our customers. When these products and services are sold together, we account for the multiple elements under FASB ASC Topic 605-25, Revenue Recognition-Multiple Element Arrangements (“FASB ASC 605-25”). FASB ASC 605-25 provides guidance on accounting for arrangements that involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services and/or rights to use assets. We allocate revenue for transactions or collaborations that include multiple elements to each unit of accounting based on each element’s relative selling price, and recognize revenue for each unit of accounting when the applicable revenue recognition criteria have been met.
Fair Value Measurements	(d) Fair Value Measurements
	We estimate the fair value of our financial instruments using available market information and valuation methodologies. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these financial instruments.
	FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (“FASB ASC 820”) defines fair value as the price that would be received in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FASB ASC 820 requires disclosure of the extent to which fair value is used to measure financial assets and liabilities, the inputs utilized in calculating valuation measurements, and the effect of the measurement of significant unobservable inputs on earnings, or changes in net assets, as of the measurement date. FASB ASC 820 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy based upon the transparency of inputs utilized in the measurement and valuation of financial assets or liabilities as of the measurement date. We apply fair value accounting for all financial assets and liabilities and non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis.
	The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques into three levels as follows:
		•		Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
		•		Level 2—quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation; and
		•		Level 3—unobservable inputs based upon the reporting entity’s internally developed assumptions which market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	(e) Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, which are generally time deposits with banks and money market funds. The carrying amount of these investments approximates market value.
Receivables and Allowances for Doubtful Accounts	(f) Receivables and Allowances for Doubtful Accounts
	We provide satellite services and extend credit to numerous customers in the satellite communication, telecommunications and video markets. We monitor our exposure to credit losses and maintain allowances for doubtful accounts and anticipated losses. We believe we have adequate customer collateral and reserves to cover our exposure. If we determine that the collection of payments is not reasonably assured at the time the respective service is provided, we defer recognition of the revenue until we believe collection is reasonably assured or the payment is received.
Satellites and Other Property and Equipment	(g) Satellites and Other Property and Equipment
	Satellites and other property and equipment are stated at historical cost, or in the case of certain satellites acquired, the fair value at the date of acquisition. Capitalized costs consist primarily of the costs of satellite construction and launch, including launch insurance and insurance during the period of in-orbit testing, the net present value of performance incentives expected to be payable to the satellite manufacturers (dependent on the continued satisfactory performance of the satellites), costs directly associated with the monitoring and support of satellite construction, and interest costs incurred during the period of satellite construction.
	We depreciate satellites and other property and equipment on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:
			Years
	Buildings and improvements			10 - 40
	Satellites and related costs			11 - 17
	Ground segment equipment and software			4 - 15
	Furniture and fixtures and computer hardware			4 - 12
	Leasehold improvements (1)			2 - 12
	-1	Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the remaining lease term.
Other Assets	(h) Other Assets
	Other assets consist of investments in certain equity securities, unamortized debt issuance costs, long-term deposits, long-term receivables and other miscellaneous deferred charges and long-term assets. Debt issuance costs represent our costs incurred to secure debt financing, which are amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the life of the related indebtedness.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	(i) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	We account for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (“FASB ASC 350”). Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date over the fair values of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill and certain other intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but are tested on an annual basis for impairment during the fourth quarter, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. See Note 11—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
	Intangible assets arising from business combinations are initially recorded at fair value. We record other intangible assets at cost. We amortize intangible assets with determinable lives (consisting of backlog and customer relationships) based on the expected pattern of consumption. We review these intangible assets for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. See Note 11—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	(j) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	We review long-lived assets, including property and equipment and acquired intangible assets with estimable useful lives, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such an asset may not be recoverable. These indicators of impairment can include, but are not limited to, the following:
		•		satellite anomalies, such as a partial or full loss of power;
		•		under-performance of an asset compared to expectations; and
		•		shortened useful lives due to changes in the way an asset is used or expected to be used.
	The recoverability of an asset to be held and used is determined by comparing the carrying amount to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, we record an impairment charge in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value, which we determine by either a quoted market price, if any, or a value determined by utilizing discounted cash flow techniques.
Income Taxes	(k) Income Taxes
	We account for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740—Income Taxes. We are subject to income taxes in the United States as well as a number of other foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in the calculation of our tax provision and the resultant tax liabilities and in the recoverability of our deferred tax assets that arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenue and expense and net operating loss and credit carryforwards.
	We assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets can be recovered. A valuation allowance is required when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. We evaluate the recoverability of our deferred tax assets based in part on the existence of deferred tax liabilities that can be used to realize the deferred tax assets.
	During the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We evaluate our tax positions to determine if it is more likely than not that a tax position is sustainable, based solely on its technical merits and presuming the taxing authorities have full knowledge of the position and access to all relevant facts and information. When a tax position does not meet the more likely than not standard, we record a liability or contra asset for the entire amount of the unrecognized tax benefit. Additionally, for those tax positions that are determined more likely than not to be sustainable, we measure the tax position at the largest amount of benefit more likely than not (determined by cumulative probability) to be realized upon settlement with the taxing authority.
Foreign Currency Translation	(l) Foreign Currency Translation
	Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar, since substantially all customer contracts, capital expenditure contracts and operating expense obligations are denominated in U.S. dollars. Transactions not denominated in U.S. dollars have been translated using the spot rates of exchange at the dates of the transactions. We recognize differences on exchange arising on the settlement of the transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar in the consolidated statement of operations.
Comprehensive Income	(m) Comprehensive Income
	Comprehensive income consists of net income or loss and other gains and losses affecting shareholders’ equity that, under U.S. GAAP, are excluded from net income or loss. Such items consist primarily of the change in the market value of available-for-sale securities and pension liability adjustments.
Share-Based Compensation	(n) Share-Based Compensation
	Compensation cost is recognized based on the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“FASB ASC 718”), for all share-based awards granted.
	Awards are measured at the grant date based on the fair value as calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for share options, a Monte Carlo simulation model for awards with market conditions, or the closing market price at the grant date for awards of shares or restricted shares units. For share-based awards recognized as liability awards prior to the IPO, we recorded compensation cost based on the fair value of such awards. The expense is recognized over the requisite service period, based on attainment of certain vesting requirements.
	The determination of the value of certain awards requires considerable judgment, including estimating expected volatility, expected term and risk-free rate. The Company’s expected volatility is based on the average volatility rates of similar actively-traded companies over the range of each award’s estimated expected term, which is based on the midpoint between the expected vesting time and the remaining contractual life. The risk-free rate is derived from the applicable Constant Maturity Treasury rate.
	Prior to the IPO, we estimated the fair market value of our equity at each reporting period in order to properly record stock compensation expense. We estimated the fair market value using a combination of the income and market approaches, and allocated a 50% weighting to each approach. The income approach quantifies the future cash flows that we expect to achieve consistent with our annual business plan and forecasting processes. These future cash flows are discounted to their net present values using an estimated rate corresponding to a weighted average cost of capital. Our forecasted cash flows are subject to uncontrollable and unforeseen events that could positively or negatively impact economic and business conditions. The estimated weighted average cost of capital includes assumptions and estimates based upon interest rates, expected rates of return, and other risk factors that consider both historic data and expected future returns for comparable investments.
	The market approach estimates fair value by applying trading multiples of enterprise value to EBITDA based on observed publicly traded comparable companies.
Deferred Satellite Performance Incentives	(o) Deferred Satellite Performance Incentives
	The cost of satellite construction may include an element of deferred consideration that we are obligated to pay to satellite manufacturers over the lives of the satellites, provided the satellites continue to operate in accordance with contractual specifications. Historically, the satellite manufacturers have earned substantially all of these payments. Therefore, we account for these payments as deferred financing. We capitalize the present value of these payments as part of the cost of the satellites and record a corresponding liability to the satellite manufacturers. Interest expense is recognized on the deferred financing and the liability is reduced as the payments are made.
Derivative Instruments	(p) Derivative Instruments
	We hold interest rate swaps, each of which were undesignated as of December 31, 2014. The swaps are marked-to-market quarterly, with any change in fair value recorded as interest expense, net.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiary	(q) Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiary
	On October 5, 2012, we purchased from Convergence SPV Ltd (“Convergence Partners”) the remaining ownership interest in our New Dawn joint venture for $8.7 million, increasing our ownership from 74.9% to 100% (the “New Dawn Equity Purchase”). Prior to October 5, 2012, New Dawn was a majority owned subsidiary that was a joint venture investment with Convergence Partners. Convergence Partners had the ability to require us to buy its ownership interest at fair value subsequent to the operations of New Dawn’s assets for a period of time defined in the New Dawn Project Agreement. In accordance with the guidance provided in FASB ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“FASB ASC 480”), regarding the classification and measurement of redeemable securities, we marked to market the fair value of the noncontrolling interest in New Dawn at each reporting period. Any changes in fair value were reflected as an adjustment to paid-in capital. As a result of the New Dawn Equity Purchase, we eliminated the redeemable noncontrolling interest of $8.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 in accordance with FASB ASC 480.
Reclassifications	(r) Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations, cash flows or retained earnings.
New Accounting Pronouncements	(s) New Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in FASB ASC Topic 605 – Revenue Recognition. The guidance in ASU 2014-09 clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and improves financial reporting by creating a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are in the process of evaluating the impact that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and associated disclosures, and have not yet selected a transition method.

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Estimated Useful Lives of Satellites and Other Property and Equipment	We depreciate satellites and other property and equipment on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:
			Years
	Buildings and improvements			10 - 40
	Satellites and related costs			11 - 17
	Ground segment equipment and software			4 - 15
	Furniture and fixtures and computer hardware			4 - 12
	Leasehold improvements (1)			2 - 12
	-1	Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the remaining lease term.

Net_Income_Loss_per_Share_Tabl

Net Income (Loss) per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Share	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to Intelsat S.A.:
		(in thousands, except per share data or where
		otherwise noted)
		Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
		December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss)	$	(149,498	)	$	(251,993	)	$	236,506
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(1,639	)		(3,687	)		(3,974	)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.		(151,137	)		(255,680	)		232,532
	Less: Preferred Shares dividends declared		—			(10,196	)		(9,917	)
	Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	(151,137	)	$	(265,876	)	$	222,615
	Numerator for Basic EPS—income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	(151,137	)	$	(265,876	)	$	222,615
	Dilutive effect of Preferred shares		—			—			9,917
	Numerator for Diluted EPS	$	(151,137	)	$	(265,876	)	$	232,532
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in millions)		83			98.5			106.5
	Weighted average dilutive shares outstanding (in millions):
	Preferred shares (in millions)		—			—			9.6
	Employee compensation related shares including options and restricted stock units (in millions)		—			—			0.6
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in millions)		83			98.5			116.7
	Basic net income (loss) per common share attributable to Intelsat S.A.	$	(1.82	)	$	(2.70	)	$	2.09
	Diluted net income (loss) per common share attributable to Intelsat S.A.	$	(1.82	)	$	(2.70	)	$	1.99

ShareBased_and_Other_Compensat1

Share-Based and Other Compensation Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock Options [Member]
Stock Option Activity	Stock Option activity during 2014 was as follows:
		Number of		Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
		Stock		Average		Average		intrinsic
		Options (in		Exercise		remaining		value (in
		thousands)		price		contractual		millions)
						term (in
						years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014		1,568	$	18.48
	Exercised		193		5.35
	Forfeited		16		24.45
	Expired		71		18.85
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		1,288	$	20.35		6.2	$	2.5
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014		1,153	$	19.43		6	$	2.5
Anti-Dilution Option Grants [Member]
Stock Option Activity	Anti-Dilution Option activity during 2014 was as follows:
		Number of		Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
		Stock		Average		Average		intrinsic
		Options		Exercise		remaining		value (in
		(in		price		contractual		millions)
		thousands)				term (in
						years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014		2,403	$	18
	Exercised		178		18
	Expired		209		18
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		2,016	$	18		7.1		—
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014		2,016	$	18		7.1		—
Time Based Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Restricted Award Activity	Time-based RSUs activity during 2014 was as follows:
		Number of		Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
		Time-based		Average		Average		intrinsic
		RSUs		grant date		remaining		value
		(in thousands)		fair value		contractual		(in millions)
						term
						(in years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014		817	$	20.15
	Granted		3,067		17.45
	Vested		446		20.06
	Forfeited		88		18.49
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		3,350	$	17.73		2.5	$	58.2
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Restricted Award Activity	Performance-based RSUs activity during 2014 was as follows:
		Number of		Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
		RSUs (in		Average		Average		intrinsic
		thousands)		grant		remaining		value (in
				date fair		contractual		millions)
				value		term (in
						years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014		550	$	21.96
	Granted		398		21.48
	Forfeited		34		21.75
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014		914	$	21.76		1.6	$	15.9

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following tables present assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands), excluding long-term debt (see “Note 12—Long-Term Debt”). We did not have any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the year ended December 31, 2014.
			As of		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
			December 31,
			2013		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other
					Active Markets for		Observable Inputs
					Identical Assets		(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
	Description
	Assets
	Marketable securities (1)		$	6,036	$	6,036	$	—
	Total assets		$	6,036	$	6,036	$	—
	Liabilities
	Undesignated interest rate swaps (2)		$	48,819	$	—	$	48,819
	Total liabilities		$	48,819	$	—	$	48,819
			As of		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014
			December 31,
			2014		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other
					Active Markets for		Observable Inputs
					Identical Assets		(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
	Description
	Assets
	Marketable securities (1)		$	5,950	$	5,950	$	—
	Total assets		$	5,950	$	5,950	$	—
	Liabilities
	Undesignated interest rate swaps (2)		$	26,109	$	—	$	26,109
	Total liabilities		$	26,109	$	—	$	26,109
	-1	The valuation measurement inputs of these marketable securities represent unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and, accordingly, we have classified such investments within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The cost basis of our available-for-sale marketable securities was $5.3 million at December 31, 2013 and $5.4 million at December 31, 2014. We sold marketable securities with a cost basis of $0.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2014 and recorded a gain on the sale of $0.5 million, which was included within other expense, net in our consolidated statement of operations.
	-2	The fair value of our interest rate financial derivative instruments reflects the estimated amounts that we would pay or receive to terminate the agreement at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates, the market expectation for future interest rates and current creditworthiness of both the counterparties and ourselves. Observable inputs utilized in the income approach valuation technique incorporate identical contractual notional amounts, fixed coupon rates, periodic terms for interest payments and contract maturity. Although we have determined that the majority of the inputs used to value our derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments, if any, associated with our derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as the estimates of the current credit spread, to evaluate the likelihood of default by us or our counterparties. We also considered the existence of offset provisions and other credit enhancements that serve to reduce the credit exposure associated with the asset or liability being valued. We have assessed the significance of the inputs of the credit valuation adjustments to the overall valuation of our derivative positions and have determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the valuation of our derivatives. As a result, we have determined that our derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Ret1

Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Reclassifications, Net of Tax	The following table presents these reclassifications, net of tax, as well as the reclassification of the realized gain on investments, and the statement of operations line items that are impacted (in thousands):
			Year Ended			Year Ended
			December 31, 2013			December 31, 2014
	Amortization of prior service credits reclassified from other comprehensive loss to net periodic pension benefit costs included in:
	Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)		$	(63	)	$	(68	)
	Selling, general and administrative			(44	)		(41	)
	Total		$	(107	)	$	(109	)
	Amortization of actuarial loss reclassified from other comprehensive loss to net periodic pension benefit costs included in:
	Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)		$	7,302		$	4,070
	Selling, general and administrative			5,018			2,440
	Total		$	12,320		$	6,510
	Realized (gain) loss on investments included in:
	Other expense, net		$	123		$	(390	)
	Total		$	123		$	(390	)
Reconciliation of Funded Status and Accumulated Benefit Obligation	The following summarizes the projected benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of the defined benefit retirement plan, as well as the projected benefit obligations of the postretirement medical benefits provided under our medical plan (in thousands, except percentages):
			Year Ended December 31, 2013						Year Ended December 31, 2014
			Pension			Other Post-			Pension			Other Post-
			Benefits			retirement			Benefits			retirement
						Benefits						Benefits
	Change in benefit obligation
	Benefit obligation at beginning of period		$	473,975		$	107,704		$	427,909		$	95,315
	Service cost			3,318			293			2,854			128
	Interest cost			18,244			4,295			19,904			4,562
	Employee contributions			—			443			—			356
	Special termination benefits			—			—			48			—
	Benefits paid			(21,294	)		(3,853	)		(24,842	)		(3,741	)
	Plan amendments			—			797			—			—
	Actuarial (gain) loss			(46,334	)		(14,364	)		65,245			19,466
	Benefit obligation at end of period		$	427,909		$	95,315		$	491,118		$	116,086
	Change in plan assets
	Plan assets at beginning of period		$	278,384			—		$	322,176			—
	Employer contributions			31,989			3,410			25,873			3,385
	Employee contributions			—			443			—			356
	Actual return on plan assets			33,097			—			16,318			—
	Benefits paid			(21,294	)		(3,853	)		(24,842	)		(3,741	)
	Plan assets at fair value at end of period		$	322,176			—		$	339,525			—
	Accrued benefit costs and funded status of the plans		$	(105,733	)	$	(95,315	)	$	(151,593	)	$	(116,086	)
	Accumulated benefit obligation		$	418,710					$	480,906
	Weighted average assumptions used to determine accumulated benefit obligation and accrued benefit costs
	Discount rate			4.83	%		4.9	%		4.01	%		4.04	%
	Salary rate			3.25	%		—			3.25	%		—
	Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs
	Discount rate			3.98	%		4.04	%		4.83	%		4.9	%
	Expected rate of return on plan assets			7.8	%		—			7.8	%		—
	Rate of compensation increase			3.25	%		—			3.25	%		—
	Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss recognized in net periodic benefit cost
	Actuarial loss, net of tax		$	12,094		$	226		$	6,510			—
	Prior service credits, net of tax			(107	)		—			(109	)		—
	Total		$	11,987		$	226		$	6,401			—
	Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss not yet recognized in net periodic benefit cost
	Actuarial loss, net of tax		$	62,234		$	923		$	101,829		$	13,221
	Prior service credits, net of tax			(500	)		—			(391	)		—
	Total		$	61,734		$	923		$	101,438		$	13,221
	Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost in the subsequent year
	Actuarial loss		$	(10,319	)		—		$	(18,018	)	$	(596	)
	Prior service credits			172			—			172			—
	Total		$	(10,147	)		—		$	(17,846	)	$	(596	)
Benefits Expected to be Paid Next Five Years	The benefits expected to be paid in each of the next five years and in the aggregate for the five years thereafter are as follows (in thousands):
			Pension			Other Post-retirement
			Benefits			Benefits
	2015		$	34,262		$	4,824
	2016			29,307			5,218
	2017			30,114			5,614
	2018			28,862			5,989
	2019			28,814			6,322
	2020 to 2024			151,788			35,502
	Total		$	303,147		$	63,469
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets [Member]
Pension Plan Assets by Asset Category	The fair values of our pension plan assets by asset category are as follows (in thousands):
			Fair Value Measurements at			Fair Value Measurements at
			December 31, 2013			December 31, 2014
	Asset Category
	Equity Securities
	U.S. Large-Cap (1)		$	83,116		$	89,593
	U.S. Small/Mid-Cap (2)			24,857			25,133
	World Equity Ex-US (3)			53,367			52,432
	Fixed Income Securities
	Short Duration Bonds (4)			61,388			63,544
	High Yield Bonds (5)			14,282			14,133
	Emerging Market Fixed income (Non-US) (6)			9,633			10,041
	Core Fixed Income (7)			29,844			32,502
	Other Securities
	Hedge Funds (8)			29,766			17,719
	Core Property Fund (9)			15,747			34,236
	Money Market Funds			—			14
	Income earned but not yet received			176			178
	Total		$	322,176		$	339,525
	-1	US large cap equity fund invests primarily in a portfolio of common stocks included in the S&P 500 Index, as well as other equity securities and derivative instruments whose value is derived from the performance of the S&P 500.
	-2	US small/mid cap equity fund invests primarily in a portfolio of common stocks included in the Russell 2500 Index.
	-3	World equity ex-US fund invests primarily in common stocks and other equity securities whose issuers comprise a broad range of capitalizations and are located outside of the U.S. The fund invests primarily in developed countries but may also invest in emerging markets.
	-4	Short duration bond fund includes the Ultra Short Duration Bond fund and Opportunistic Income fund. The Ultra Short Duration Bond invests at least 80% of its net assets in investment grade U.S. dollar denominated debt instruments. While the funds may invest in securities with any maturity or duration, the funds will maintain a portfolio duration range of 18 months or less under normal market conditions. The Opportunistic Income fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment grade and non-investment grade fixed-income securities. There are no restrictions on the maturity of any individual securities or on the fund’s average portfolio maturity, although the average portfolio duration will typically vary between 0-24 months.
	-5	High yield bond fund seeks to maximize return by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of higher yielding, lower rated fixed income securities. The fund will invest primarily in securities rated below investment grade, including corporate bonds, convertible and preferred securities and zero coupon obligations.
	-6	Emerging markets debt fund seeks to maximize return investing in fixed income securities of emerging markets issuers. The fund will invest primarily in U.S. dollar denominated debt securities of government, government-related and corporate issuers in emerging market countries, as well as entities organized to restructure the outstanding debt of such issuers.
	-7	Core fixed income fund invests in fixed-income funds which seek to provide current income consistent with the preservation of capital.
	-8	Hedge fund seeks to provide returns that are different from (less correlated with) investments in more traditional asset classes. The fund will pursue its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in various hedge funds.
	-9	Core property fund is a fund of funds that invests in direct commercial property funds primarily in the U.S. The fund is meant to provide current income-oriented returns, diversification, and modest inflation protection to an overall investment portfolio. Total returns are expected to be somewhere between stocks and bonds, with moderate volatility and low correlation to public markets.
Defined Pension Benefit Plans [Member]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs	Net periodic pension benefit costs included the following components (in thousands):
			Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
			December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
			2012			2013			2014
	Service cost		$	3,211		$	3,318		$	2,854
	Interest cost			19,061			18,244			19,904
	Expected return on plan assets			(20,562	)		(21,263	)		(24,130	)
	Amortization of unrecognized prior service credits			(172	)		(172	)		(172	)
	Amortization of unrecognized net loss			13,990			19,423			10,319
	Special termination benefit recognized			—			—			48
	Total benefit		$	15,528		$	19,550		$	8,823
Target and Actual Asset Allocation [Member]
Pension Plan Assets by Asset Category	The target and actual asset allocation of our pension plan assets were as follows:
			As of December 31, 2013						As of December 31, 2014
			Target			Actual			Target			Actual
			Allocation			Allocation			Allocation			Allocation
	Asset Category
	Equity securities			47	%		50	%		47	%		49	%
	Debt securities			38	%		36	%		38	%		36	%
	Other securities			15	%		14	%		15	%		15	%
	Total			100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs	Net periodic other postretirement benefit costs included the following components (in thousands):
			Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
			December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
			2012			2013			2014
	Service cost		$	354		$	293		$	128
	Interest cost			4,959			4,295			4,562
	Plan amendment			—			797			—
	Amortization of unrecognized net loss			687			362			—
	Total costs		$	6,000		$	5,747		$	4,690

Receivables_Tables

Receivables (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]
Summary of Receivables	Receivables were comprised of the following (in thousands):
		As of			As of
		December 31,			December 31,
		2013			2014
	Service charges:
	Billed	$	247,655		$	245,022
	Unbilled		8,260			7,493
	Other		15,720			3,117
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(35,288	)		(35,174	)
	Total	$	236,347		$	220,458

Satellites_and_Other_Property_1

Satellites and Other Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of Satellites and Other Property and Equipment, Net	Satellites and other property and equipment, net were comprised of the following (in thousands):
		As of			As of
		December 31,			December 31,
		2013			2014
	Satellites and launch vehicles	$	8,628,596			9,154,751
	Information systems and ground segment		559,250			582,115
	Buildings and other		203,839			236,845
	Total cost		9,391,685			9,973,711
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(3,586,145	)		(4,093,447	)
	Total	$	5,805,540		$	5,880,264

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Changes in Equity Attributable to Intelsat and Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	The following tables present changes in equity attributable to the Company and equity attributable to our noncontrolling interests, which is included in the equity section of our consolidated balance sheet (in thousands):
		Intelsat S.A.			Noncontrolling			Total
		Shareholders’			Interest			Shareholders’
		Deficit						Deficit
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	(1,357,760	)	$	45,670		$	(1,312,090	)
	Net income (loss)		(255,680	)		3,687			(251,993	)
	Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests		—			(8,671	)		(8,671	)
	Initial public offering, net of costs		542,796			—			542,796
	Change in classification of certain equity awards		18,899			—			18,899
	Share-based compensation		28,553			—			28,553
	Declaration of preferred stock dividend		(10,196	)		—			(10,196	)
	Postretirement/pension liability adjustment		57,283			—			57,283
	Other comprehensive income		752			—			752
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(975,353	)	$	40,686		$	(934,667	)
		Intelsat S.A.			Noncontrolling			Total
		Shareholders’			Interest			Shareholders’
		Deficit						Deficit
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	(975,353	)	$	40,686		$	(934,667	)
	Net income (loss)		232,532			3,974			236,506
	Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests		—			(8,744	)		(8,744	)
	Acquisition of remaining interests in WP Com		2,215			(2,215	)		—
	Share-based compensation		26,389			—			26,389
	Declaration of preferred stock dividend		(9,917	)		—			(9,917	)
	Postretirement/pension liability adjustment		(52,002	)		—			(52,002	)
	Other comprehensive income		(132	)		—			(132	)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(776,268	)	$	33,701		$	(742,567	)

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Carrying Amounts of Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets Not Subject to Amortization	The carrying amounts of goodwill and acquired intangible assets not subject to amortization consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of		As of
		December 31,		December 31,
		2013		2014
	Goodwill	$	6,780,827	$	6,780,827
	Orbital locations		2,387,700		2,387,700
	Trade name		70,400		70,400
Schedule of Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Acquired Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization	The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of acquired intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31, 2013							As of December 31, 2014
		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Carrying		Amortization			Carrying		Carrying		Amortization			Carrying
		Amount					Amount		Amount					Amount
	Backlog and other	$	743,760	$	(575,045	)	$	168,715	$	743,760	$	(615,285	)	$	128,475
	Customer relationships		534,030		(133,970	)		400,060		534,030		(161,960	)		372,070
	Technology		2,700		(2,700	)		—		—		—			—
	Total	$	1,280,490	$	(711,715	)	$	568,775	$	1,277,790	$	(777,245	)	$	500,545
Scheduled Amortization Charges for Intangible Assets	Scheduled amortization charges for the intangible assets over the next five years are as follows (in thousands):
	Year	Amount
	2015		60,215
	2016		48,491
	2017		42,254
	2018		38,481
	2019		34,351

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Carrying Values and Fair Values of Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt	The carrying values and fair values of our notes payable and long-term debt were as follows (in thousands):
		As of December 31, 2013					As of December 31, 2014
		Carrying Value			Fair Value		Carrying Value			Fair Value
	Intelsat Luxembourg:
	6.75% Senior Notes due June 2018	$	500,000		$	530,000	$	500,000		$	509,400
	7.75% Senior Notes due June 2021		2,000,000			2,145,000		2,000,000			2,005,000
	8.125% Senior Notes due June 2023		1,000,000			1,071,300		1,000,000			1,015,000
	Total Intelsat Luxembourg obligations		3,500,000			3,746,300		3,500,000			3,529,400
	Intelsat Jackson:
	8.5% Senior Notes due November 2019		500,000			545,650		—			—
	Unamortized discount on 8.5% Senior Notes		(2,864	)		—		—			—
	7.25% Senior Notes due October 2020		2,200,000			2,409,000		2,200,000			2,318,360
	Unamortized premium on 7.25% Senior Notes		17,799			—		15,699			—
	7.25% Senior Notes due April 2019		1,500,000			1,612,500		1,500,000			1,563,750
	7.5% Senior Notes due April 2021		1,150,000			1,267,875		1,150,000			1,227,625
	6.625% Senior Notes due December 2022		1,275,000			1,310,063		1,275,000			1,313,250
	Unamortized premium on 6.625% Senior Notes		37,918			—		34,669			—
	5.5% Senior Notes due August 2023		2,000,000			1,890,000		2,000,000			1,980,000
	Senior Secured Credit Facilities due June 2019		3,095,000			3,103,666		3,095,000			3,075,811
	Unamortized discount on Senior Credit Facilities		(9,857	)		—		(8,226	)		—
	Jackson Revolver		—			—		49,000			49,000
	Total Intelsat Jackson obligations		11,762,996			12,138,754		11,311,142			11,527,796
	Horizons Holdings:
	Loan Payable to JSAT		24,418			24,418		—			—
	Total Horizons Holdings obligation		24,418			24,418		—			—
	Total Intelsat S.A. long-term debt		15,287,414		$	15,909,472		14,811,142		$	15,057,196
	Less:
	Current portion of long-term debt		24,418					49,000
	Total long-term debt, excluding current portion	$	15,262,996				$	14,762,142
Schedule of Principal Repayments of Long-Term Debt	Required principal repayments of long-term debt over the next five years and thereafter as of December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
	Year	Amount
	2015	$	49,000
	2016		—
	2017		—
	2018		500,000
	2019		4,595,000
	2020 and thereafter		9,625,000
	Total principal repayments		14,769,000
	Unamortized discounts and premium		42,142
	Total Intelsat S.A. long-term debt	$	14,811,142

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value of Derivatives by Category	The following table sets forth the fair value of our derivatives by category (in thousands):
	Derivatives not designated as hedging	Balance Sheet Location		December 31,				December 31,
	instruments			2013				2014
	Undesignated interest rate swaps	Other current liabilities		$	1,241			$	1,321
	Undesignated interest rate swaps	Other long-term liabilities			47,578				24,788
	Total derivatives			$	48,819			$	26,109
Schedule of Effect of Derivative Instruments, Included in Interest Expense, Net in Consolidated Statements of Operations	The following table sets forth the effect of the derivative instruments, included in interest expense, net in our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
	Derivatives not designated as	Presentation in Statements of				Year Ended				Year Ended		Year Ended
	hedging instruments	Operations				December 31,				December 31,		December 31,
						2012				2013		2014
	Undesignated interest rate swaps		Included in interest expense, net			$	39,935			$	8,064	$	5,649

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Total Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	The following table summarizes our total income (loss) before income taxes (in thousands):
		Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
		December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
	Domestic income (loss) before income taxes	$	(627,617	)	$	(356,019	)	$	199,682
	Foreign income before income taxes		458,488			73,189			59,795
	Total income (loss) before income taxes	$	(169,129	)	$	(282,830	)	$	259,477
Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes	The provision for (benefit from) income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
		December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
	Current income tax provision:
	Domestic	$	1,019		$	856		$	2,306
	Foreign		41,239			33,654			33,311
	Total		42,258			34,510			35,617
	Deferred income tax benefit:
	Foreign		(61,889	)		(65,347	)		(12,646	)
	Total		(61,889	)		(65,347	)		(12,646	)
	Total income tax provision (benefit):	$	(19,631	)	$	(30,837	)	$	22,971
Income Tax Provision (Benefit)	The income tax provision (benefit) was different from the amount computed using the Luxembourg statutory income tax rate of 29.22% for the reasons set forth in the following table (in thousands):
		Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
		December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
	Expected tax provision (benefit) at Luxembourg statutory income tax rate	$	(48,709	)	$	(82,643	)	$	75,819
	Foreign income tax differential		33,118			35,511			40,099
	Nontaxable interest income		(136,478	)		(93,154	)		(53,361	)
	U.S. extraterritorial income exclusion tax benefit		(37,597	)		—			—
	Changes in unrecognized tax benefits		1,756			(3,997	)		1,229
	Changes in valuation allowance		174,038			171,433			(24,147	)
	Tax effect of 2011 Intercompany Sale		(6,416	)		(6,865	)		(6,740	)
	Foreign Tax Credits		—			(44,137	)		(2,147	)
	Research and Development Tax Credits		—			(5,890	)		(5,564	)
	Other		657			(1,095	)		(2,217	)
	Total income tax provision (benefit)	$	(19,631	)	$	(30,837	)	$	22,971
Net Deferred Tax Balances	The following table details the composition of the net deferred tax balances as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 (in thousands):
		As of			As of
		December 31,			December 31,
		2013			2014
	Current deferred taxes, net	$	44,475		$	76,315
	Long-term deferred taxes, net		(202,638	)		(211,680	)
	Other assets		9,246			9,157
	Net deferred taxes	$	(148,917	)	$	(126,208	)
Components of Net Deferred Tax Liability	The components of the net deferred tax liability were as follows (in thousands):
		As of			As of
		December 31,			December 31,
		2013			2014
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accruals and advances	$	23,959		$	27,586
	Amortizable intangible assets		188,800			74,062
	Performance incentives		26,146			22,308
	Customer deposits		51,318			55,573
	Bad debt reserve		3,436			3,081
	Accrued retirement benefits		67,337			92,320
	Interest rate swap		568			295
	Satellites and other property and equipment		44,487			11,348
	Disallowed interest expense carryforward		95,427			108,446
	Net operating loss carryforward		1,265,624			1,343,444
	Tax credits		73,916			58,643
	Other		15,675			15,576
	Total deferred tax assets		1,856,693			1,812,682
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Satellites and other property and equipment		(49,077	)		(32,811	)
	Amortizable intangible assets		(44,297	)		(58,789	)
	Non-amortizable intangible assets		(254,384	)		(223,878	)
	Tax basis differences in investments and affiliates		(187,283	)		(219,049	)
	Other		(5,863	)		(7,126	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(540,904	)		(541,653	)
	Valuation allowance		(1,464,706	)		(1,397,237	)
	Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(148,917	)	$	(126,208	)
Summary of Activity Related to Unrecognized Tax Benefits	The following table summarizes the activity related to our unrecognized tax benefits (in thousands):
		2013			2014
	Balance at January 1	$	67,015		$	65,111
	Increases related to current year tax positions		3,477			2,366
	Increases related to prior year tax positions		3,107			2,629
	Decreases related to prior year tax positions		(6,443	)		—
	Expiration of statute of limitations for the assessment of taxes		(2,045	)		(2,971	)
	Balance at December 31	$	65,111		$	67,135

Contractual_Commitments_Tables

Contractual Commitments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Additional Expenditures and Expected Year of Payment	The additional expenditures as of December 31, 2014 and the expected year of payment are as follows (in thousands):
		Satellite		Satellite		Operating		Sublease			Customer and		Total
		Construction		Performance		Leases		Rental			Vendor
		and Launch		Incentive				Income			Contracts
		Obligations		Obligations
	2015	$	539,966	$	36,552	$	13,230	$	(496	)	$	117,684	$	706,936
	2016		443,027		29,904		14,421		(436	)	$	30,381		517,297
	2017		387,680		28,263		13,278		(150	)	$	28,377		457,448
	2018		257,489		24,073		12,901		(156	)	$	32,504		326,811
	2019		90,833		22,076		12,824		(158	)	$	31,262		156,837
	2020 and thereafter		210,878		136,938		131,694		(694	)	$	13,355		492,171
	Total contractual commitments	$	1,929,873	$	277,806	$	198,348	$	(2,090	)	$	253,563	$	2,657,500

Business_and_Geographic_Segmen1

Business and Geographic Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Geographic Distribution of Revenue	The geographic distribution of our revenue based upon billing region of the customer was as follows:
		Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
		December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
	North America		46	%		45	%		45	%
	Europe		16	%		16	%		17	%
	Latin America and Caribbean		15	%		16	%		16	%
	Africa and Middle East		16	%		15	%		14	%
	Asia Pacific		7	%		8	%		8	%
Schedule of Off-Network and On-Network Revenues	Our revenues were derived from the following services, with Off-Network and Other Revenues shown separately from On-Network Revenues (in thousands, except percentages):
		Year Ended						Year Ended					Year Ended
		December 31, 2012						December 31, 2013					December 31, 2014
	On-Network Revenues
	Transponder services	$	1,950,230			75	%	$	1,988,771		76	%	$	1,895,194	77	%
	Managed services		276,024			11	%		298,623		11	%		297,296	12	%
	Channel		91,805			4	%		72,123		3	%		58,669	2	%
	Total on-network revenues		2,318,059			89	%		2,359,517		91	%		2,251,159	91	%
	Off-Network and Other Revenues
	Transponder, MSS and other off-network services		234,143			9	%		194,601		7	%		172,624	7	%
	Satellite-related services		57,950			2	%		49,505		2	%		48,603	2	%
	Total off-network and other revenues		292,093			11	%		244,106		9	%		221,227	9	%
	Total	$	2,610,152			100	%	$	2,603,623		100	%	$	2,472,386	100	%

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation1

Quarterly Results of Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Results of Operations
		Quarter Ended
	2013	March 31			June 30			September 30		December 31
	Revenue	$	655,127		$	653,803		$	651,844	$	642,848
	Income from operations		311,914			251,181			315,948		333,394
	Net income (loss)		(6,916	)		(407,266	)		88,574		73,615
	Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.		(7,804	)		(408,305	)		87,798		72,631
	Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders		(7,804	)		(418,501	)		87,798		72,631
	Net income (loss) per share attributable to Intelsat S.A.:
	Basic	$	(0.09	)	$	(4.19	)	$	0.83	$	0.69
	Diluted		(0.09	)		(4.19	)		0.75		0.62
		Quarter Ended
	2014	31-Mar			30-Jun			September 30		December 31
	Revenue	$	628,890		$	615,749		$	608,625	$	619,122
	Income from operations		328,700			315,060			310,811		292,707
	Net income		82,896			67,771			68,620		17,220
	Net income attributable to Intelsat S.A.		81,946			66,768			67,624		16,194
	Net income attributable to common shareholders		81,946			56,851			67,624		16,194
	Net income per share attributable to Intelsat S.A.:
	Basic	$	0.77		$	0.53		$	0.63	$	0.15
	Diluted		0.7			0.53			0.58		0.14

Supplemental_Consolidating_Fin1

Supplemental Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	INTELSAT S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Intelsat			Intelsat			Intelsat			Jackson			Non-			Consolidation			Consolidated
		S.A. and			Luxembourg			Jackson			Subsidiary			Guarantor			and
		Other									Guarantors			Subsidiaries			Eliminations
		Parent
		Guarantors
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	6,229		$	1,068		$	63,633		$	63,144		$	52,217		$	(63,144	)	$	123,147
	Receivables, net of allowance		12			—			167,621			167,569			52,825			(167,569	)		220,458
	Deferred income taxes		—			—			74,466			74,466			1,849			(74,466	)		76,315
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		940			—			27,938			27,880			9,334			(30,147	)		35,945
	Intercompany receivables		—			134,093			356,680			285,453			—			(776,226	)		—
	Total current assets		7,181			135,161			690,338			618,512			116,225			(1,111,552	)		455,865
	Satellites and other property and equipment, net		—			—			5,761,839			5,761,839			118,425			(5,761,839	)		5,880,264
	Goodwill		—			—			6,780,827			6,780,827			—			(6,780,827	)		6,780,827
	Non-amortizable intangible assets		—			—			2,458,100			2,458,100			—			(2,458,100	)		2,458,100
	Amortizable intangible assets, net		—			—			500,545			500,545			—			(500,545	)		500,545
	Investment in affiliates		(270,172	)		3,084,655			141,594			141,594			—			(3,097,671	)		—
	Other assets		88			37,245			346,521			240,844			9,900			(240,844	)		393,754
	Total assets	$	(262,903	)	$	3,257,061		$	16,679,764		$	16,502,261		$	244,550		$	(19,951,378	)	$	16,469,355
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	28,818		$	—		$	154,445		$	154,124		$	24,585		$	(156,390	)	$	205,582
	Accrued interest payable		—			22,500			138,971			1,803			24			(1,803	)		161,495
	Current portion of long-term debt		—			—			49,000			—			—			—			49,000
	Deferred satellite performance incentives		—			—			19,793			19,793			1,164			(19,793	)		20,957
	Other current liabilities		—			—			183,677			182,356			6,353			(182,356	)		190,030
	Intercompany payables		450,846			—			—			—			39,928			(490,774	)		—
	Total current liabilities		479,664			22,500			545,886			358,076			72,055			(851,116	)		627,064
	Long-term debt, net of current portion		—			3,500,000			11,262,142			—			—			—			14,762,142
	Deferred satellite performance incentives, net of current portion		—			—			163,360			163,360			—			(163,360	)		163,360
	Deferred revenue, net of current portion		—			—			966,832			966,832			486			(966,832	)		967,318
	Deferred income taxes		—			—			201,212			201,212			10,468			(201,212	)		211,680
	Accrued retirement benefits		—			—			262,536			262,536			370			(262,536	)		262,906
	Other long-term liabilities		—			—			193,141			168,353			24,311			(168,353	)		217,452
	Shareholders’ equity (deficit):
	Common shares		1,067			7,202			3,466,429			7,535,655			24			(11,009,310	)		1,067
	Preferred shares		35			—			—			—			—			—			35
	Other shareholders’ equity (deficit)		(743,669	)		(272,641	)		(381,774	)		6,846,237			136,837			(6,328,659	)		(743,669	)
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	(262,903	)	$	3,257,061		$	16,679,764		$	16,502,261		$	244,550		$	(19,951,378	)	$	16,469,355
	(Certain totals may not add due to the effects of rounding)
	INTELSAT S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Intelsat			Intelsat			Intelsat			Jackson			Non-			Consolidation			Consolidated
		S.A. and			Luxembourg			Jackson			Subsidiary			Guarantor			and
		Other									Guarantors			Subsidiaries			Eliminations
		Parent
		Guarantors
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,792		$	139		$	193,090		$	167,800		$	50,769		$	(167,800	)	$	247,790
	Receivables, net of allowance		—			—			160,023			159,656			76,324			(159,656	)		236,347
	Deferred income taxes		—			—			46,228			46,228			(1,753	)		(46,228	)		44,475
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1,272			—			25,846			25,794			6,738			(26,426	)		33,224
	Intercompany receivables		—			—			421,504			386,820			20,609			(828,933	)		—
	Total current assets		5,064			139			846,691			786,298			152,687			(1,229,043	)		561,836
	Satellites and other property and equipment, net		—			—			5,698,952			5,698,952			147,106			(5,739,470	)		5,805,540
	Goodwill		—			—			6,780,827			6,780,827			—			(6,780,827	)		6,780,827
Non-amortizable intangible assets		—			—			2,458,100			2,458,100			—			(2,458,100	)		2,458,100
Amortizable intangible assets, net		—			—			568,775			568,775			—			(568,775	)		568,775
Investment in affiliates		(428,647	)		3,053,901			227,320			227,320			—			(3,079,894	)		—
Other assets		88			41,497			362,636			222,679			10,371			(222,679	)		414,592
Total assets	$	(423,495	)	$	3,095,537		$	16,943,301		$	16,742,951		$	310,164		$	(20,078,788	)	$	16,589,670
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	28,795		$	32		$	132,454		$	130,178		$	22,290		$	(130,810	)	$	182,939
Accrued interest payable		—			22,500			163,820			2,458			172			(2,458	)		186,492
Current portion of long-term debt		—			—			—			—			24,418			—			24,418
Deferred satellite performance incentives		—			—			21,089			21,089			1,614			(21,089	)		22,703
Other current liabilities		—			—			154,014			152,772			3,011			(152,772	)		157,025
Intercompany payables		441,907			206			—			—			—			(442,113	)		—
Total current liabilities		470,702			22,738			471,377			306,497			51,505			(749,242	)		573,577
Long-term debt, net of current portion		—			3,500,000			11,762,996			—			—			—			15,262,996
Deferred satellite performance incentives, net of current portion		—			—			153,023			153,023			881			(153,023	)		153,904
Deferred revenue, net of current portion		—			—			887,446			887,446			793			(887,446	)		888,239
Deferred income taxes		—			—			191,298			191,298			11,388			(191,346	)		202,638
Accrued retirement benefits		—			—			196,657			196,657			199			(196,657	)		196,856
Other long-term liabilities		—			—			226,603			179,025			19,524			(179,025	)		246,127
Shareholders’ equity (deficit):
Common shares		1,060			7,202			3,466,429			9,023,860			24			(12,497,515	)		1,060
Preferred shares		35			—			—			—			—			—			35
Other shareholders’ equity (deficit)		(895,292	)		(434,403	)		(412,528	)		5,805,145			225,850			(5,224,534	)		(935,762	)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	(423,495	)	$	3,095,537		$	16,943,301		$	16,742,951		$	310,164		$	(20,078,788	)	$	16,589,670
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	INTELSAT S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Intelsat			Intelsat			Intelsat			Jackson						Consolidation			Consolidated
		S.A. and			Luxembourg			Jackson			Subsidiary			Non-			and
		Other									Guarantors			Guarantor			Eliminations
		Parent												Subsidiaries
		Guarantors
	Revenue	$	—		$	—		$	2,281,331		$	2,281,348		$	592,317		$	(2,682,610	)	$	2,472,386
	Operating expenses:
	Direct costs of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		—			—			257,999			257,999			491,460			(659,110	)		348,348
	Selling, general and administrative		7,547			139			132,379			131,874			57,493			(132,025	)		197,407
	Depreciation and amortization		—			—			644,597			644,597			34,754			(644,597	)		679,351
	Total operating expenses		7,547			139			1,034,975			1,034,470			583,707			(1,435,732	)		1,225,106
	Income (loss) from operations		(7,547	)		(139	)		1,246,356			1,246,878			8,610			(1,246,878	)		1,247,280
	Interest expense, net		10,153			274,253			660,763			6,605			(382	)		(6,605	)		944,787
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt		—			—			(40,423	)		—			—			—			(40,423	)
	Subsidiary income		250,281			545,402			14,729			14,729			—			(825,141	)		—
	Other income (expense), net		2			—			2,864			2,770			(5,461	)		(2,768	)		(2,593	)
	Income before income taxes		232,583			271,010			562,763			1,257,772			3,531			(2,068,182	)		259,477
	Provision for income taxes		53			—			17,361			17,268			5,557			(17,268	)		22,971
	Net income (loss)		232,530			271,010			545,402			1,240,504			(2,026	)		(2,050,914	)		236,506
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			—			(3,974	)		—			(3,974	)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat, S.A.		232,530			271,010			545,402			1,240,504			(6,000	)		(2,050,914	)		232,532
	Cumulative preferred dividends		(9,917	)		—			—			—			—			—			(9,917	)
	Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	222,613		$	271,010		$	545,402		$	1,240,504		$	(6,000	)	$	(2,050,914	)	$	222,615
	(Certain totals may not add due to the effects of rounding)
	INTELSAT S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Intelsat			Intelsat			Intelsat			Jackson			Non-			Consolidation			Consolidated
		S.A. and			Luxembourg			Jackson			Subsidiary			Guarantor			and
		Other									Guarantors			Subsidiaries			Eliminations
		Parent
		Guarantors
	Revenue	$	—		$	—		$	2,382,169		$	2,382,201		$	663,354		$	(2,824,101	)	$	2,603,623
	Operating expenses:
	Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)		—			—			266,869			266,869			504,983			(662,952	)		375,769
	Selling, general and administrative		62,861			8,167			155,035			152,961			62,469			(153,026	)		288,467
	Depreciation and amortization		—			—			705,165			705,165			34,623			(708,386	)		736,567
	Gain on satellite insurance recoveries		—			—			(9,618	)		(9,618	)		—			9,618			(9,618	)
	Total operating expenses		62,861			8,167			1,117,451			1,115,377			602,075			(1,514,746	)		1,391,185
	Income (loss) from operations		(62,861	)		(8,167	)		1,264,718			1,266,824			61,279			(1,309,355	)		1,212,438
	Interest (income) expense, net		40,916			438,052			644,838			(10,042	)		(1,545	)		10,042			1,122,261
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt		(24,185	)		(341,351	)		(2,553	)		—			—			—			(368,089	)
	Subsidiary income (loss)		(85,180	)		728,465			70,409			70,409			—			(784,103	)		—
	Other income (expense), net		(7	)		—			577			42,772			(5,488	)		(42,772	)		(4,918	)
	Income (loss) before income taxes		(213,149	)		(59,105	)		688,313			1,390,047			57,336			(2,146,272	)		(282,830	)
	Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		—			—			(40,152	)		(38,819	)		9,315			38,819			(30,837	)
	Net income (loss)		(213,149	)		(59,105	)		728,465			1,428,866			48,021			(2,185,091	)		(251,993	)
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			—			(3,687	)		—			(3,687	)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.		(213,149	)		(59,105	)		728,465			1,428,866			44,334			(2,185,091	)		(255,680	)
	Cumulative preferred dividends		(10,196	)		—			—			—			—			—			(10,196	)
	Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	(223,345	)	$	(59,105	)	$	728,465		$	1,428,866		$	44,334		$	(2,185,091	)	$	(265,876	)
	(Certain totals may not add due to the effects of rounding)
	INTELSAT S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Intelsat			Intelsat			Intelsat			Jackson			Non-			Consolidation			Consolidated
		S.A. and			Luxembourg			Jackson			Subsidiary			Guarantor			and
		Other									Guarantors			Subsidiaries			Eliminations
Parent
Guarantors
Revenue	$	—		$	—		$	2,318,470		$	2,318,479		$	732,274		$	(2,759,071	)	$	2,610,152
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)		—			—			271,230			291,757			585,263			(732,350	)		415,900
Selling, general and administrative		4,247			25,264			124,695			123,465			49,819			(123,465	)		204,025
Depreciation and amortization		—			—			726,224			709,120			40,061			(710,502	)		764,903
Total operating expenses		4,247			25,264			1,122,149			1,124,342			675,143			(1,566,317	)		1,384,828
Income (loss) from operations		(4,247	)		(25,264	)		1,196,321			1,194,137			57,131			(1,192,754	)		1,225,324
Interest (income) expense, net		67,377			610,771			619,650			(223,283	)		12,985			223,283			1,310,783
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		—			—			(67,709	)		—			(5,833	)		—			(73,542	)
Subsidiary income (loss)		(58,552	)		587,519			25,510			25,510			—			(579,987	)		—
Other income (expense), net		(13	)		(1	)		18,944			18,951			(6,724	)		(41,285	)		(10,128	)
Income (loss) before income taxes		(130,189	)		(48,517	)		553,416			1,461,881			31,589			(2,037,309	)		(169,129	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		—			—			(34,103	)		(34,103	)		14,475			34,100			(19,631	)
Net income (loss)		(130,189	)		(48,517	)		587,519			1,495,984			17,114			(2,071,409	)		(149,498	)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			—			(1,639	)		—			(1,639	)
Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.	$	(130,189	)	$	(48,517	)	$	587,519		$	1,495,984		$	15,475		$	(2,071,409	)	$	(151,137	)
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	INTELSAT S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Intelsat S.A.			Intelsat			Intelsat			Jackson			Non-			Consolidation			Consolidated
		and Other			Luxembourg			Jackson			Subsidiary			Guarantor			and Eliminations
		Parent									Guarantors			Subsidiaries
		Guarantors
	Cash flows from operating activities:	$	(1,366	)	$	(270,171	)	$	1,253,342		$	1,887,340		$	64,363		$	(1,887,338	)	$	1,046,170
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)		—			—			(639,603	)		(639,603	)		(5,821	)		639,603			(645,424	)
	Repayment from (disbursements for) intercompany loans		9,214			—			3,873			3,873			—			(16,960	)		—
	Investment in subsidiaries		(3,790	)		—			(194	)		(194	)		—			4,178			—
	Dividend from affiliates		8,300			279,400			33,943			33,943			—			(355,586	)		—
	Other investing activities		—			—			174			174			—			(174	)		174
	Net cash provided by (used in)investing activities		13,724			279,400			(601,807	)		(601,807	)		(5,821	)		271,061			(645,250	)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Repayments of long-term debt		—			—			(586,000	)		—			(24,418	)		—			(610,418	)
	Payment of premium on early extinguishment of debt		—			—			(21,250	)		—			—			—			(21,250	)
	Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		—			—			135,000			—			—			—			135,000
	Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing		(4,233	)		—			(9,214	)		—			360			13,087			—
	Dividends paid to preferred shareholders		(9,919	)		—			—			—			—			—			(9,919	)
	Capital contribution from parent					—			—			103,698			3,984			(107,682	)		—
	Dividends to shareholders		—			(8,300	)		(279,400	)		(1,473,781	)		(33,943	)		1,795,424			—
	Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives		—			—			(18,705	)		(18,705	)		(1,069	)		18,705			(19,774	)
	Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			—			12,209			—			12,209
	Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			—			(8,744	)		—			(8,744	)
	Other financing activities		4,231			—			(338	)		(338	)		—			338			3,893
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(9,921	)		(8,300	)		(779,907	)		(1,389,126	)		(51,621	)		1,719,872			(519,003	)
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			(1,085	)		(1,063	)		(5,473	)		1,061			(6,560	)
	Net change in cash and cash equivalents		2,437			929			(129,457	)		(104,656	)		1,448			104,656			(124,643	)
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		3,792			139			193,090			167,800			50,769			(167,800	)		247,790
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	6,229		$	1,068		$	63,633		$	63,144		$	52,217		$	(63,144	)	$	123,147
	(Certain totals may not add due to the effects of rounding)
	INTELSAT S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Intelsat S.A.			Intelsat			Intelsat			Jackson			Non-			Consolidation			Consolidated
		and Other			Luxembourg			Jackson			Subsidiary			Guarantor			and Eliminations
		Parent									Guarantors			Subsidiaries
		Guarantors
	Cash flows from operating activities:	$	(108,561	)	$	(622,489	)	$	1,406,174		$	1,785,702		$	41,767		$	(1,785,701	)	$	716,892
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)		—			—			(591,762	)		(591,762	)		(9,030	)		591,762			(600,792	)
	Proceeds from insurance settlements		—			—			487,930			487,930			—			(487,930	)		487,930
	Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds		—			—			(19,199	)		(19,199	)		—			19,199			(19,199	)
	Repayment from (disbursements for) intercompany loans		(23,644	)		—			(2,223,001	)		(593,753	)		3,493			2,836,905			—
	Investment in subsidiaries		(11,436	)		(17,248	)		(324	)		(324	)		—			29,332			—
	Dividend from affiliates		20,181			524,812			9,811			9,811			—			(564,615	)		—
	Other investing activities		—			—			(2,000	)		(2,000	)		—			2,000			(2,000	)
	Net cash provided by (used in)investing activities		(14,899	)		507,564			(2,338,545	)		(709,297	)		(5,537	)		2,426,653			(134,061	)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Repayments of long-term debt		(353,550	)		(5,307,986	)		(1,218,208	)		—			(24,418	)		—			(6,904,162	)
	Repayment of notes payable to former shareholders		(868	)		—			—			—			—			—			(868	)
	Payment of premium on early extinguishment of debt		(9,395	)		(301,762	)		(67	)		—			—			—			(311,224	)
	Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		—			3,500,000			2,754,688			—			—			—			6,254,688
	Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing		(52,391	)		2,289,335			20,151			(44,111	)		(13,943	)		(2,199,041	)		—
	Debt issuance costs		—			(44,433	)		(40,412	)		—			—			—			(84,845	)
	Proceeds from initial public offering		572,500			—			—			—			—			—			572,500
	Stock issuance costs		(26,683	)		—			—			—			—			—			(26,683	)
	Dividends paid to preferred shareholders		(5,235	)		—			—			—			—			—			(5,235	)
	Capital contribution from parent					—			17,248			45,062			11,760			(74,070	)		—
	Dividends to shareholders		—			(20,181	)		(524,812	)		(1,024,160	)		(9,811	)		1,578,964			—
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives		—			—			(16,509	)		(16,509	)		(993	)		16,508			(17,503	)
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			—			12,209			—			12,209
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			—			(8,671	)		—			(8,671	)
Other financing activities		2,800			—			471			471			—			(471	)		3,271
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		127,178			114,973			992,550			(1,039,247	)		(33,867	)		(678,110	)		(516,523	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(7	)		—			(468	)		(465	)		(5,528	)		465			(6,003	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		3,711			48			59,711			36,693			(3,165	)		(36,693	)		60,305
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		81			91			133,379			131,107			53,934			(131,107	)		187,485
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	3,792		$	139		$	193,090		$	167,800		$	50,769		$	(167,800	)	$	247,790
(Certain totals may not add due to the effects of rounding)
INTELSAT S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
(in thousands)
	Intelsat S.A.			Intelsat			Intelsat			Jackson			Non-			Consolidation and			Consolidated
	and Other			Luxembourg			Jackson			Subsidiary			Guarantor			Eliminations
	Parent									Guarantors			Subsidiaries
	Guarantors
Cash flows from operating activities:	$	(40,535	)	$	(626,653	)	$	1,320,065		$	1,379,396		$	168,433		$	(1,379,396	)	$	821,310
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)		—			—			(857,311	)		(857,311	)		(8,705	)		857,311			(866,016	)
Proceeds from sale of building, net of fees		—			—			82,415			82,415			—			(82,415	)		82,415
Repayment from (disbursements for) intercompany loans		—			—			10,435			(221,460	)		—			211,025			—
Investment in subsidiaries		(5,549	)		—			208			208			—			5,133			—
Dividend from affiliates		32,481			658,318			17,423			17,423			—			(725,645	)		—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		26,932			658,318			(746,830	)		(978,725	)		(8,705	)		265,409			(783,601	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		—			—			(2,364,508	)		—			(110,303	)		—			(2,474,811	)
Repayment of notes payable to former shareholders		(1,683	)		—			—			—			—			—			(1,683	)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		—			—			2,451,521			—			—			—			2451521
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing		12,845			—			—			—			(23,280	)		10,435			—
											—
Debt issuance costs		—			—			(27,384	)		—			—			—			(27,384	)
Payment of premium on early extinguishment of debt		—			—			(65,920	)		—			—			—			(65,920	)
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			—			12,209			—			12,209
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			—			(8,838	)		—			(8,838	)
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives		—			—			(14,833	)		(14,833	)		(1,136	)		14,833			(15,969	)
Principal payments on capital lease obligations		—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Capital contribution from parent		—			—			—			57,657			5,341			(62,998	)		—
Dividends to shareholders		—			(32,481	)		(658,318	)		(549,712	)		(17,423	)		1,257,934			—
Repurchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			—			(8,744	)		—			(8,744	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		11,162			(32,481	)		(679,442	)		(506,888	)		(152,174	)		1,220,204			(139,619	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(13	)		(1	)		(589	)		(582	)		(6,726	)		582			(7,329	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(2,454	)		(817	)		(106,796	)		(106,799	)		828			106,799			(109,239	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		2,535			908			240,175			237,906			53,106			(237,906	)		296,724
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	81		$	91		$	133,379		$	131,107		$	53,934		$	(131,107	)	$	187,485

Background_of_Company_Addition

Background of Company - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 23, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
			Satellite
Background Of Company [Line Items]
Number of satellites under global communications network			50
Gross proceeds from IPO	$572,500,000	$572,500,000
Net proceeds from IPO after underwriting discounts	$550,000,000
Common Stock [Member]
Background Of Company [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares	22,222,222	22,200,000
Shares issued, price per share	$18
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Background Of Company [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares	3,450,000
Shares issued, price per share	$50
Preferred stock dividend rate	5.75%

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 05, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2008
Significant Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Fair value approaches weight allocated	50.00%
Ownership interest purchased		$8,744
Minimum [Member]
Significant Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership interest percentage	20.00%
Maximum [Member]
Significant Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership interest percentage	50.00%
New Dawn [Member]
Significant Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership interest percentage					74.90%
Ownership interest purchased			8,744
Percentage of ownership interest acquired			100.00%
Redeemable noncontrolling interest, acquisition		$8,700		$8,700

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives of Satellites and Other Property and Equipment (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Minimum [Member] | Buildings and Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life of assets	10 years
Minimum [Member] | Satellites and Related Costs [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life of assets	11 years
Minimum [Member] | Ground Segment Equipment and Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life of assets	4 years
Minimum [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures and Computer Hardware [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life of assets	4 years
Minimum [Member] | Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life of assets	2 years
Maximum [Member] | Buildings and Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life of assets	40 years
Maximum [Member] | Satellites and Related Costs [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life of assets	17 years
Maximum [Member] | Ground Segment Equipment and Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life of assets	15 years
Maximum [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures and Computer Hardware [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life of assets	12 years
Maximum [Member] | Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life of assets	12 years

Share_Capital_Additional_Infor

Share Capital - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Authorized share capital	$10
Common Shares , authorized	1,000,000,000
Common Shares , par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common Shares , issued	106,700,000
Common Shares, outstanding	106,700,000
Preferred Shares, liquidation preference	$50	$50
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Preferred Shares, issued	3,500,000
Preferred Shares, outstanding	3,500,000
Preferred Shares, liquidation preference	$50
Number of trading days, conversion price of common share	40 days
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] | Each Series A Preferred Share will Automatically Convert on May 1, 2016 into Common Shares [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Preferred stock conversion to common ratio	2.2676
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] | Each Series A Preferred Share will Automatically Convert on May 1, 2016 into Common Shares [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Preferred stock conversion to common ratio	2.7778
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] | At Any Time Prior to May 1, 2016, Holders May Elect to Convert Each Series A Preferred Share into Common Shares [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Preferred stock conversion to common ratio	2.2676

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Addi

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 23, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
Net Income Loss Per Common Share [Line Items]
Reclassification of class B shares to common shares, ratio	0.0735
Common shares stock split conversion ratio	4.6
Dividend declared		$9,917	$10,196
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount		1,400,000	4,500,000	2,900,000
Dilutive securities			0	0
Common Stock [Member]
Net Income Loss Per Common Share [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares	22,222,222		22,200,000
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Net Income Loss Per Common Share [Line Items]
Stock issued during period, shares	3,450,000
Dividend declared					$9,900	$10,200
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] | First Installment [Member]
Net Income Loss Per Common Share [Line Items]
Dividends paid amount per share		$0.72
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] | Second Installment [Member]
Net Income Loss Per Common Share [Line Items]
Dividends paid amount per share		$0.72
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] | Third Installment [Member]
Net Income Loss Per Common Share [Line Items]
Dividend declared, per share price		$0.72
Dividend declared, payment date		1-Feb-15
Dividend declared, record date		15-Jan-15
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Net Income Loss Per Common Share [Line Items]
Date the declared dividend will be paid, month and year					2015-06	2014-06
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Net Income Loss Per Common Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount			6,600,000

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Comp

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Net income (loss)	$17,220	$68,620	$67,771	$82,896	$73,615	$88,574	($407,266)	($6,916)	$236,506	($251,993)	($149,498)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest									-3,974	-3,687	-1,639
Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.	16,194	67,624	66,768	81,946	72,631	87,798	-408,305	-7,804	232,532	-255,680	-151,137
Less: Preferred Shares dividends declared									-9,917	-10,196
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	16,194	67,624	56,851	81,946	72,631	87,798	-418,501	-7,804	222,615	-265,876	-151,137
Net income/ (loss) attributable to common shareholders	16,194	67,624	56,851	81,946	72,631	87,798	-418,501	-7,804	222,615	-265,876	-151,137
Dilutive effect of Preferred shares									9,917
Numerator for Diluted EPS									$232,532	($265,876)	($151,137)
Denominator:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in millions)									106.5	98.5	83
Weighted average dilutive shares outstanding
Preferred shares (in millions)									9.6
Employee compensation related shares including options and restricted stock units (in millions)									0.6
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in millions)									116.7	98.5	83
Basic net income (loss) per common share attributable to Intelsat S.A.	$0.15	$0.63	$0.53	$0.77	$0.69	$0.83	($4.19)	($0.09)	$2.09	($2.70)	($1.82)
Diluted net income (loss) per common share attributable to Intelsat S.A.	$0.14	$0.58	$0.53	$0.70	$0.62	$0.75	($4.19)	($0.09)	$1.99	($2.70)	($1.82)

ShareBased_and_Other_Compensat2

Share-Based and Other Compensation Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
IPO-Related Compensation Charges		$21,300,000
Compensation expense	22,500,000	25,300,000	4,800,000
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation, vesting period	1 month
Granted	0
Weighted average fair value per share		$7.85
Risk-free interest rate		0.60%
Dividend yields		0.00%
Expected volatility		59.40%
Expected life of options		4 years
Option, exercised	193,000		0
Options exercised intrinsic value	2,600,000	5,600,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options	900,000			900,000
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards, period of recognition	1 year
Compensation (credit) expense	3,000,000	-400,000	-100,000
Cash received for exercise of stock options	1,000,000	2,400,000
Stock Options [Member] | IPO [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average fair value per share			$19.31
Stock Options [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation, expiration period	10 years
Share based compensation, expiration period, service period	2 years
Stock Options [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation, expiration period	15 years
Share based compensation, expiration period, service period	5 years
Anti-Dilution Option Grants [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense	4,100,000	14,500,000
Share based compensation, expiration period	5 years
Granted	0		0
Weighted average fair value per share		$5.97
Risk-free interest rate		0.30%
Dividend yields		0.00%
Expected volatility		60.80%
Expected life of options		2 years
Option, exercised	178,000
Options exercised intrinsic value	600,000	100,000
Cash received for exercise of stock options	3,200,000	400,000
Anti-Dilution Option Grants [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation, expiration period	10 years
Time Based Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense	13,000,000	5,700,000
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards, period of recognition	2 years 6 months
Weighted average grant date fair value of stock awards	$17.45	$20.13	$0
Total intrinsic value of vested stock awards	8,600,000	2,500,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock awards	52,000,000			52,000,000
Number of awards, Granted	3,067,000
Time Based Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation, vesting period	6 months
Time Based Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation, vesting period	3 years
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense	2,400,000	1,100,000
Share based compensation, vesting period	3 years
Granted	398,000
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards, period of recognition	2 years
Weighted average grant date fair value of stock awards	$21.48	$21.96	$0
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock awards	4,200,000			4,200,000
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense	0
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | IPO [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average grant date fair value of stock awards		$18
Restricted Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense		4,500,000	4,800,000
Total intrinsic value of vested stock awards		4,200,000
Number of awards, Granted	0		0
Cost of Sales [Member] | IPO [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense		2,400,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | IPO [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense		18,900,000
2013 Equity Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares available for grant	10,000,000			10,000,000
Shares available for future issuance	4,700,000			4,700,000
2014 Option Modification [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense	$4,700,000
Risk-free interest rate				1.30%
Dividend yields				0.00%
Expected volatility				45.00%
Expected life of options				4 years 1 month 6 days
Number of stock options, granted				1,900,000
Incremental fair value of option modifications				$2.52
Share based compensation, expiration period				5 years
Option modification, description	During the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2014, 1.9 million stock options, including 1.6 million anti-dilution options, were amended to (a) extend the expiration date by five years; and (b) extend the duration of exercisability from one year to three years after ceasing to be an employee of the company. We estimated an additional expense of $2.52 per option resulting from the amendment, being the difference between the fair value of the amended option and the fair value of the original award before amendment. The fair value was measured using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
2014 Option Modification [Member] | Anti-Dilution Option Grants [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of stock options, granted				1,600,000
Pre-2014 Amendment Option Modification [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate				0.30%
Dividend yields				0.00%
Expected volatility				45.00%
Expected life of options				1 year 7 months 6 days
Pre-2014 Amendment Option Modification [Member] | Anti-Dilution Option Grants [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate				0.30%
Dividend yields				0.00%
Expected volatility				45.00%
Expected life of options				1 year 7 months 6 days

ShareBased_and_Other_Compensat3

Share-Based and Other Compensation Plans - Stock Option Activity (Detail) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Options [Member]
Number of Stock Options
Outstanding, beginning of year	1,568,000
Exercised	193,000	0
Forfeited	16,000
Expired	71,000
Outstanding, end of year	1,288,000
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	1,153,000
Weighted Average Exercise price
Outstanding, beginning of year	$18.48
Exercised	$5.35
Forfeited	$24.45
Expired	$18.85
Outstanding, end of year	$20.35
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	$19.43
Weighted Average remaining contractual term
Outstanding, end of year	6 years 2 months 12 days
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	6 years
Aggregate intrinsic value
Outstanding, end of year	$2.50
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	$2.50

ShareBased_and_Other_Compensat4

Share-Based and Other Compensation Plans - Anti-Dilution Option Activity (Detail) (Anti-Dilution Option Grants [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Anti-Dilution Option Grants [Member]
Number of Stock Options
Outstanding, beginning of year	2,403,000
Exercised	178,000
Expired	209,000
Outstanding, end of year	2,016,000
Exercisable, end of year	2,016,000
Weighted Average Exercise price
Outstanding, beginning of year	$18
Exercised	$18
Expired	$18
Outstanding, end of year	$18
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	$18
Weighted Average remaining contractual term
Outstanding, end of year	7 years 1 month 6 days
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	7 years 1 month 6 days
Aggregate intrinsic value
Outstanding, end of year	$0
Exercisable at December 31, 2014	$0

ShareBased_and_Other_Compensat5

Share-Based and Other Compensation Plans - Time Based Restricted Stock Units Activity (Detail) (Time Based Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Time Based Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Number of units
Outstanding, beginning of year	817,000
Granted	3,067,000
Vested	446,000
Forfeited	88,000
Outstanding, end of year	3,350,000	817,000
Weighted Average grant date fair value
Outstanding, beginning of year	$20.15
Granted	$17.45	$20.13	$0
Vested	$20.06
Forfeited	$18.49
Outstanding, end of year	$17.73	$20.15
Weighted Average remaining contractual term
Outstanding, end of year	2 years 6 months
Aggregate intrinsic value
Outstanding, end of year	$58.20

ShareBased_and_Other_Compensat6

Share-Based and Other Compensation Plans - Performance Based Restricted Stock Units (Detail) (Performance Based Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Number of units
Outstanding, beginning of year	550,000
Granted	398,000
Forfeited	34,000
Outstanding, end of year	914,000	550,000
Weighted Average grant date fair value
Outstanding, beginning of year	$21.96
Granted	$21.48	$21.96	$0
Forfeited	$21.75
Outstanding, end of year	$21.76	$21.96
Weighted Average remaining contractual term
Outstanding, end of year	1 year 7 months 6 days
Aggregate intrinsic value
Outstanding, end of year	$15.90

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Assets, fair value	$5,950	$6,036
Liabilities
Liabilities, fair value	26,109	48,819
Marketable Securities [Member]
Assets
Assets, fair value	5,950	6,036
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Liabilities
Liabilities, fair value	26,109	48,819
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets
Assets, fair value	5,950	6,036
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member]
Assets
Assets, fair value	5,950	6,036
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Liabilities
Liabilities, fair value	26,109	48,819
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Liabilities
Liabilities, fair value	$26,109	$48,819

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu1

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Sale of marketable securities	$0.70
Gain on sale of available-for-sale marketable securities	0.5
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale marketable securities	$5.40	$5.30

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Ret2

Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	100.00%	100.00%
Assumed health care cost trend rate	7.50%	7.70%
Assumed decrease in health care cost trend rate	4.50%
Effect of one percent increase in health care cost trend rate on other postretirement benefit obligation	$12,900,000
Effect of one percent decrease in health care cost trend rate on other postretirement benefit obligation	10,900,000
Effect of one percent increase in health care cost trend rate on service and interest cost components	500,000
Effect of one percent decrease in health care cost trend rate on service and interest cost components	400,000
Recognized compensation expense	9,200,000	5,400,000	7,900,000
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	47.00%	47.00%
Equity Securities [Member] | U S Equity [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	31.00%
Equity Securities [Member] | Non-U.S. Equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	16.00%
Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	38.00%	38.00%
Other Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	15.00%	15.00%
Other Securities [Member] | Hedge Fund [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	5.00%
Other Securities [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	10.00%
Defined Pension Benefit Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions to defined benefit retirement plan	25,873,000	31,989,000
Estimated contributions to plan in next fiscal year	21,700,000
Accrued benefit costs	151,593,000	105,733,000
Accrued benefit costs included in other current liabilities	600,000	600,000
Accrued benefit costs included in other long-term liabilities	151,000,000	105,100,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contributions to defined benefit retirement plan	3,385,000	3,410,000
Estimated contributions to plan in next fiscal year	4,800,000
Accrued benefit costs	116,086,000	95,315,000
Accrued benefit costs included in other current liabilities	5,200,000	4,400,000
Accrued benefit costs included in other long-term liabilities	$110,900,000	$90,900,000

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Ret3

Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits - Prior Service Credits and Actuarial Losses Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to Net Periodic Pension Benefit Costs, Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service credits reclassified from other comprehensive loss to net periodic pension benefit costs	($109)	($107)	($110)
Amortization of actuarial loss reclassified from other comprehensive loss to net periodic pension benefit costs	6,510	12,320	5,178
Realized (gain) loss on investments	-390	123
Direct Costs of Revenue Excluding Depreciation and Amortization [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service credits reclassified from other comprehensive loss to net periodic pension benefit costs	-68	-63
Amortization of actuarial loss reclassified from other comprehensive loss to net periodic pension benefit costs	4,070	7,302
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service credits reclassified from other comprehensive loss to net periodic pension benefit costs	-41	-44
Amortization of actuarial loss reclassified from other comprehensive loss to net periodic pension benefit costs	2,440	5,018
Other Expense, Net [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Realized (gain) loss on investments	($390)	$123

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Ret4

Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits - Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Change in plan assets
Plan assets at beginning of period	$322,176
Plan assets at fair value at end of period	339,525	322,176
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss recognized in net periodic benefit cost
Actuarial loss, net of tax	-6,510	-12,320	-5,178
Prior service credits, net of tax	109	107	110
Defined Pension Benefit Plans [Member]
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of period	427,909	473,975
Service cost	2,854	3,318	3,211
Interest cost	19,904	18,244	19,061
Special termination benefits	48
Benefits paid	-24,842	-21,294
Actuarial (gain) loss	65,245	-46,334
Benefit obligation at end of period	491,118	427,909	473,975
Change in plan assets
Plan assets at beginning of period	322,176	278,384
Employer contributions	25,873	31,989
Actual return on plan assets	16,318	33,097
Benefits paid	-24,842	-21,294
Plan assets at fair value at end of period	339,525	322,176	278,384
Accrued benefit costs and funded status of the plans	-151,593	-105,733
Accumulated benefit obligation	480,906	418,710
Weighted average assumptions used to determine accumulated benefit obligation and accrued benefit costs
Discount rate	4.01%	4.83%
Salary rate	3.25%	3.25%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs
Discount rate	4.83%	3.98%
Expected rate of return on plan assets	7.80%	7.80%
Rate of compensation increase	3.25%	3.25%
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss recognized in net periodic benefit cost
Actuarial loss, net of tax	6,510	12,094
Prior service credits, net of tax	-109	-107
Total	6,401	11,987
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss not yet recognized in net periodic benefit cost
Actuarial loss, net of tax	101,829	62,234
Prior service credits, net of tax	-391	-500
Total	101,438	61,734
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost in the subsequent year
Actuarial loss	-18,018	-10,319
Prior service credits	172	172
Total	-17,846	-10,147
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of period	95,315	107,704
Service cost	128	293	354
Interest cost	4,562	4,295	4,959
Employee contributions	356	443
Benefits paid	-3,741	-3,853
Plan amendments		797
Actuarial (gain) loss	19,466	-14,364
Benefit obligation at end of period	116,086	95,315	107,704
Change in plan assets
Employer contributions	3,385	3,410
Employee contributions	356	443
Benefits paid	-3,741	-3,853
Accrued benefit costs and funded status of the plans	-116,086	-95,315
Weighted average assumptions used to determine accumulated benefit obligation and accrued benefit costs
Discount rate	4.04%	4.90%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs
Discount rate	4.90%	4.04%
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss recognized in net periodic benefit cost
Actuarial loss, net of tax		226
Total		226
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss not yet recognized in net periodic benefit cost
Actuarial loss, net of tax	13,221	923
Total	13,221	923
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost in the subsequent year
Actuarial loss	-596
Total	($596)

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Ret5

Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits - Target and Actual Asset Allocation of Pension Plan Assets (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	100.00%	100.00%
Actual allocation	100.00%	100.00%
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	47.00%	47.00%
Actual allocation	49.00%	50.00%
Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	38.00%	38.00%
Actual allocation	36.00%	36.00%
Other Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	15.00%	15.00%
Actual allocation	15.00%	14.00%

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Ret6

Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits - Fair Values of Pension Plan Assets by Asset Category (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets	$339,525	$322,176
U.S. Large-Cap [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets	89,593	83,116
U.S. Small/Mid-Cap [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets	25,133	24,857
World Equity Ex-US [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets	52,432	53,367
Short Duration Bonds [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets	63,544	61,388
High Yield Bonds [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets	14,133	14,282
Emerging Market Fixed income (Non-US) [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets	10,041	9,633
Core Fixed Income [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets	32,502	29,844
Hedge Fund [Member] | Other Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets	17,719	29,766
Core Property Fund [Member] | Other Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets	34,236	15,747
Money Market Funds [Member] | Other Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets	14
Income Earned but not yet Received [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets	$178	$176

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Ret7

Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits - Fair Values of Pension Plan Assets by Asset Category (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actual allocation	100.00%	100.00%
Short Duration Bonds [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actual allocation	80.00%
Securities or fund's average portfolio maturity period	18 months
Minimum [Member] | High Yield Bonds [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities or fund's average portfolio maturity period	0 months
Maximum [Member] | High Yield Bonds [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities or fund's average portfolio maturity period	24 months

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Ret8

Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Pension Benefit Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$2,854	$3,318	$3,211
Interest cost	19,904	18,244	19,061
Expected return on plan assets	-24,130	-21,263	-20,562
Amortization of unrecognized prior service credits	-172	-172	-172
Amortization of unrecognized net loss	10,319	19,423	13,990
Special termination benefit recognized	48
Total benefit	8,823	19,550	15,528
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	128	293	354
Interest cost	4,562	4,295	4,959
Plan amendment		797
Amortization of unrecognized net loss		362	687
Total benefit	$4,690	$5,747	$6,000

Retirement_Plans_and_Other_Ret9

Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits - Benefits Expected to be Paid Next Five Years (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Pension Benefit Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2015	$34,262
2016	29,307
2017	30,114
2018	28,862
2019	28,814
2020 to 2024	151,788
Total	303,147
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2015	4,824
2016	5,218
2017	5,614
2018	5,989
2019	6,322
2020 to 2024	35,502
Total	$63,469

Receivables_Summary_of_Receiva

Receivables - Summary of Receivables (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	($35,174)	($35,288)
Total	220,458	236,347
Services [Member] | Billed [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, gross	245,022	247,655
Services [Member] | Unbilled [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, gross	7,493	8,260
Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables, gross	$3,117	$15,720

Receivables_Additional_Informa

Receivables - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]
Other receivables, due from JSAT International, Inc.	$12.20

Satellites_and_Other_Property_2

Satellites and Other Property and Equipment - Schedule of Satellites and Other Property and Equipment, Net (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Satellites and other property and equipment, cost	$9,973,711	$9,391,685
Less: accumulated depreciation	-4,093,447	-3,586,145
Satellites and other property and equipment, net	5,880,264	5,805,540
Satellites And Launch Vehicles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Satellites and other property and equipment, cost	9,154,751	8,628,596
Information Systems And Ground Segment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Satellites and other property and equipment, cost	582,115	559,250
Buildings and other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Satellites and other property and equipment, cost	$236,845	$203,839

Satellites_and_Other_Property_3

Satellites and Other Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Oct. 05, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Nov. 30, 2012	Feb. 01, 2013
							sqft
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Construction-in-progress	$1,100,000,000	$800,000,000
Capitalized interest	70,900,000	44,800,000
Depreciation expense	611,100,000	654,300,000	673,100,000
Insurance proceeds received		487,930,000
Gain On Satellite Insurance Recoveries		9,618,000
Satellites and other property and equipment, net	5,880,264,000	5,805,540,000
Proceed from sale of building			82,415,000
Intelsat Luxembourg [Member] | 11.25% Senior Notes due February 2017 [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Debt amount repurchased, redeemed or prepaid				754,800,000
Solar Array Anomaly (Member)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Insurance proceeds from Partial loss Claim		84,800,000
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Proceed from sale of building					85,000,000
Pre-tax gain on sale of building					12,800,000
VIRGINIA
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Area of space leased		212,572					188,000
Term lease agreement	15 years
Recent Satellite Launches [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Insurance proceeds received		406,200,000
Gain On Satellite Insurance Recoveries		9,600,000
Satellites and other property and equipment, net								396,600,000
Recent Satellite Launches [Member] | Intelsat Luxembourg [Member] | 11.25% Senior Notes due February 2017 [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Debt amount repurchased, redeemed or prepaid		366,400,000
New Dawn [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Insurance proceeds received						$118,000,000

Investments_Additional_Informa

Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2005	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 29, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2008
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets		$16,469,355,000				$16,589,670,000
Percentage of revenue to JSAT		50.00%
Guarantee expenses paid, net of fees and commissions		9,600,000
Expected guarantee expenses to be paid over the period of the guarantee		5,000,000
Capital contribution in percent	50.00%
Percentage of economic interest						88.00%
Range One [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Guarantee Obligations		7,800,000
Range Two [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Guarantee Obligations		10,300,000
New Dawn [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage							74.90%
Noncontrolling ownership interest percentage							25.10%
Redeemable noncontrolling interest, acquisition			8,700,000	8,700,000
WP Com [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage						49.00%
Noncontrolling ownership interest percentage						51.00%
Redeemable noncontrolling interest, acquisition					2,200,000
Subsidiary
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage						99.90%
Horizons Satellite Holdings [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total assets		67,500,000				101,700,000
Total liabilities		100,000				24,600,000
Revenue share, net of applicable fees and commissions		$5,700,000				$7,100,000

Investments_Changes_in_Equity_

Investments - Changes in Equity Attributable to Intelsat and Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule Of Changes In Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [ Line Items]
Beginning Balance	($934,667)	($1,312,090)
Net income (loss)	236,506	-251,993
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	-8,744	-8,671
Initial public offering, net of costs		542,796
Change in classification of certain equity awards		18,899
Share-based compensation	26,389	28,553
Declaration of preferred stock dividend	-9,917	-10,196
Postretirement/pension liability adjustment	-52,002	57,283
Other comprehensive income	-132	752
Ending Balance	-742,567	-934,667
Intelsat S.A. Shareholders' Deficit [Member]
Schedule Of Changes In Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [ Line Items]
Beginning Balance	-975,353	-1,357,760
Net income (loss)	232,532	-255,680
Initial public offering, net of costs		542,796
Acquisition of remaining interests in WP Com	2,215
Change in classification of certain equity awards		18,899
Share-based compensation	26,389	28,553	6,825
Declaration of preferred stock dividend	-9,917	-10,196
Postretirement/pension liability adjustment	-52,002	57,283	-7,288
Other comprehensive income	-132	752
Ending Balance	-776,268	-975,353	-1,357,760
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Schedule Of Changes In Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [ Line Items]
Beginning Balance	40,686	45,670
Net income (loss)	3,974	3,687
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	-8,744	-8,671	-8,838
Acquisition of remaining interests in WP Com	-2,215
Ending Balance	$33,701	$40,686	$45,670

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Carrying Amounts of Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets not Subject to Amortization (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$6,780,827	$6,780,827
Intangible Assets	2,458,100	2,458,100
Orbital Locations [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets	2,387,700	2,387,700
Trade Name [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets	$70,400	$70,400

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014
	Segment
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of operating segments for impairment analysis	1
Amortization expense	$68,200,000	$82,300,000	$91,800,000
Orbital Locations [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of indefinite lived intangible assets				$0

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Acquired Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$1,277,790	$1,280,490
Accumulated Amortization	-777,245	-711,715
Net Carrying Amount	500,545	568,775
Backlog and Other [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	743,760	743,760
Accumulated Amortization	-615,285	-575,045
Net Carrying Amount	128,475	168,715
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	534,030	534,030
Accumulated Amortization	-161,960	-133,970
Net Carrying Amount	372,070	400,060
Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount		2,700
Accumulated Amortization		($2,700)

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Scheduled Amortization Charges for Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$60,215
2016	48,491
2017	42,254
2018	38,481
2019	$34,351

LongTerm_Debt_Schedule_of_Carr

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Carrying Values and Fair Values of Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 05, 2011	Apr. 26, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	$14,811,142
Long-term debt, Fair Value	15,057,196	15,909,472
Current portion of long-term debt	49,000	24,418
Total long-term debt, excluding current portion	14,762,142	15,262,996
Prior Fiscal Year [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	15,287,414
Current portion of long-term debt	24,418
Total long-term debt, excluding current portion	15,262,996
Intelsat Luxembourg [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	3,500,000
Long-term debt, Fair Value	3,529,400	3,746,300
Total long-term debt, excluding current portion	3,500,000	3,500,000
Intelsat Luxembourg [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	3,500,000
Intelsat Luxembourg [Member] | 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	500,000
Long-term debt, Fair Value	509,400	530,000
Intelsat Luxembourg [Member] | 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018 [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	500,000
Intelsat Luxembourg [Member] | 7.75% Senior Notes due June 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	2,000,000
Long-term debt, Fair Value	2,005,000	2,145,000
Intelsat Luxembourg [Member] | 7.75% Senior Notes due June 2021 [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	2,000,000
Intelsat Luxembourg [Member] | 8.125% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	1,000,000
Long-term debt, Fair Value	1,015,000	1,071,300
Intelsat Luxembourg [Member] | 8.125% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	1,000,000
Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	11,311,142		2,650,000
Long-term debt, Fair Value	11,527,796	12,138,754
Current portion of long-term debt	49,000
Total long-term debt, excluding current portion	11,262,142	11,762,996
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	11,762,996
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 8.5% Senior Notes due November 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Fair Value		545,650
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 8.5% Senior Notes due November 2019 [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	500,000
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 8.5% Senior Notes due November 2019 [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Unamortized discount	-2,864
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 7.25% Senior Notes due October 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	2,200,000			1,200,000
Long-term debt, Fair Value	2,318,360	2,409,000
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 7.25% Senior Notes due October 2020 [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Unamortized premium	15,699
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 7.25% Senior Notes due October 2020 [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	2,200,000
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 7.25% Senior Notes due October 2020 [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Unamortized premium	17,799
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 7.25% Senior Notes due April 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	1,500,000		1,500,000
Long-term debt, Fair Value	1,563,750	1,612,500
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 7.25% Senior Notes due April 2019 [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	1,500,000
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 7.5% Senior Notes due April 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	1,150,000		1,150,000
Long-term debt, Fair Value	1,227,625	1,267,875
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 7.5% Senior Notes due April 2021 [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	1,150,000
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 6.625 % Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	1,275,000
Long-term debt, Fair Value	1,313,250	1,310,063
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 6.625 % Senior Notes due 2022 [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Unamortized premium	34,669
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 6.625 % Senior Notes due 2022 [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	1,275,000
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 6.625 % Senior Notes due 2022 [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Unamortized premium	37,918
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 5.5% Senior Notes due August 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	2,000,000
Long-term debt, Fair Value	1,980,000	1,890,000
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 5.5% Senior Notes due August 2023 [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	2,000,000
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facilities Due June 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	3,095,000
Long-term debt, Fair Value	3,075,811	3,103,666
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facilities Due June 2019 [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Unamortized discount	-8,226
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facilities Due June 2019 [Member] | Jackson Revolver [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Fair Value	49,000
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facilities Due June 2019 [Member] | Jackson Revolver [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	49,000
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facilities Due June 2019 [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	3,095,000
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facilities Due June 2019 [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Unamortized discount	-9,857
Horizons Holdings [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Fair Value		24,418
Horizons Holdings [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	24,418
Horizons Holdings [Member] | Loan Payable to JSAT [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Fair Value		24,418
Horizons Holdings [Member] | Loan Payable to JSAT [Member] | Prior Fiscal Year [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	$24,418

LongTerm_Debt_Schedule_of_Carr1

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Carrying Values and Fair Values of Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 05, 2013	Nov. 01, 2014	Apr. 05, 2011
6.75% Senior Notes due 2018 [Member] | Intelsat Luxembourg [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2018-06
Senior Notes, Interest rate	6.75%	6.75%
7.75% Senior Notes due June 2021 [Member] | Intelsat Luxembourg [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2021-06
Senior Notes, Interest rate	7.75%
8.125% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member] | Intelsat Luxembourg [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2023-06
Senior Notes, Interest rate	8.13%	8.13%
8.5% Senior Notes due November 2019 [Member] | Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2019-11
Senior Notes, Interest rate			8.50%
7.25% Senior Notes due October 2020 [Member] | Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2020-10
Senior Notes, Interest rate	7.25%
7.25% Senior Notes due April 2019 [Member] | Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2019-04
Senior Notes, Interest rate	7.25%			7.25%
7.5% Senior Notes due April 2021 [Member] | Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2021-04
Senior Notes, Interest rate	7.50%			7.50%
6.625 % Senior Notes due 2022 [Member] | Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2022-12
Senior Notes, Interest rate	6.63%
5.5% Senior Notes due August 2023 [Member] | Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2023-08
Senior Notes, Interest rate	5.50%
Senior Secured Credit Facilities Due June 2019 [Member] | Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2019-06
Prior Fiscal Year [Member] | 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018 [Member] | Intelsat Luxembourg [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2018-06
Senior Notes, Interest rate	6.75%
Prior Fiscal Year [Member] | 7.75% Senior Notes due June 2021 [Member] | Intelsat Luxembourg [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2021-06
Senior Notes, Interest rate	7.75%
Prior Fiscal Year [Member] | 8.125% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member] | Intelsat Luxembourg [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2023-06
Senior Notes, Interest rate	8.13%
Prior Fiscal Year [Member] | 8.5% Senior Notes due November 2019 [Member] | Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2019-11
Senior Notes, Interest rate	8.50%
Prior Fiscal Year [Member] | 7.25% Senior Notes due October 2020 [Member] | Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2020-10
Senior Notes, Interest rate	7.25%
Prior Fiscal Year [Member] | 7.25% Senior Notes due April 2019 [Member] | Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2019-04
Senior Notes, Interest rate	7.25%
Prior Fiscal Year [Member] | 7.5% Senior Notes due April 2021 [Member] | Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2021-04
Senior Notes, Interest rate	7.50%
Prior Fiscal Year [Member] | 6.625 % Senior Notes due 2022 [Member] | Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2022-12
Senior Notes, Interest rate	6.63%
Prior Fiscal Year [Member] | 5.5% Senior Notes due August 2023 [Member] | Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2023-08
Senior Notes, Interest rate	5.50%
Prior Fiscal Year [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facilities Due June 2019 [Member] | Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Maturity date	2019-06

LongTerm_Debt_Schedule_of_Prin

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Principal Repayments of Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$49,000
2016	0
2017	0
2018	500,000
2019	4,595,000
2020 and thereafter	9,625,000
Total principal repayments	14,769,000
Unamortized discounts and premium	42,142
Total Intelsat S.A. long-term debt	$14,811,142

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Nov. 27, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

Jan. 12, 2011

Oct. 31, 2013

23-May-13

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 05, 2013

Nov. 01, 2014

Apr. 23, 2013

Apr. 05, 2013

Apr. 05, 2011

Apr. 26, 2012

Convenant

Convenant

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt

($40,400,000)

($366,800,000)

($40,423,000)

($368,089,000)

($73,542,000)

Long-term debt

14,811,142,000

14,811,142,000

Number of financial covenants

2

2

Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instruments variable interest rate spread

2.75%

Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instruments variable interest rate spread

1.00%

Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member] | Abr [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instruments variable interest rate spread

1.75%

Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Availability remaining under revolving credit facility

438,900,000

438,900,000

Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Variable interest rates, Minimum

3.00%

Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Abr [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Variable interest rates, Minimum

2.00%

Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Term Loan Facility [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt

1,300,000

Prepayment indebtedness

100,000,000

Term loan facility

3,250,000,000

Quarterly payment percentage

0.25%

Debt, maturity date

30-Jun-19

Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Revolving credit facility

500,000,000

Maximum available of revolving credit facility

350,000,000

350,000,000

Unused commitment fee percentage

0.38%

Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Revolving credit facility

450,000,000

Debt, maturity date

12-Jul-17

Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Revolving credit facility

50,000,000

Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Swingline Loan [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Maximum available of revolving credit facility

70,000,000

70,000,000

Financial Covenants [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Consolidated secured debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio

1.55

Consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense

2.73

Financial Covenants [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Consolidated secured debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio

3.5

Consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense

1.75

6 1/2% Senior Notes [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt amount repurchased, redeemed or prepaid

353,600,000

Interest rate

6.50%

Debt instrument, maturity date

2013-11

Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt

-24,200,000

Unsecured term loan commitments Termination Fee

7,600,000

Intelsat Luxembourg [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt

-232,100,000

-341,351,000

Aggregate principal amount of senior notes

3,500,000,000

Long-term debt

3,500,000,000

3,500,000,000

Intelsat Luxembourg [Member] | 2017 Senior Notes [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt amount repurchased, redeemed or prepaid

366,400,000

Intelsat Luxembourg [Member] | 6.75% Senior Notes due 2018 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Interest rate

6.75%

6.75%

6.75%

Debt instrument, maturity date

2018-06

Aggregate principal amount of senior notes

500,000,000

Long-term debt

500,000,000

500,000,000

Interest payment dates

Semi-annually on June 1 and December 1.

Early redemption price equal to percentage of principal amount of notes

100.00%

Early redemption price equal to percentage of aggregate principal amount of notes from equity offerings

40.00%

Intelsat Luxembourg [Member] | 7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2021 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Interest rate

7.75%

7.75%

7.75%

Debt instrument, maturity date

2021-06

Aggregate principal amount of senior notes

2,000,000,000

Long-term debt

2,000,000,000

2,000,000,000

Interest payment dates

Semi-annually on June 1 and December 1.

Early redemption price equal to percentage of principal amount of notes

100.00%

Early redemption price equal to percentage of aggregate principal amount of notes from equity offerings

40.00%

Intelsat Luxembourg [Member] | 8.125% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Interest rate

8.13%

8.13%

8.13%

Debt instrument, maturity date

2023-06

Aggregate principal amount of senior notes

1,000,000,000

Long-term debt

1,000,000,000

1,000,000,000

Interest payment dates

Semi-annually on June 1 and December 1.

Early redemption price equal to percentage of principal amount of notes

100.00%

Early redemption price equal to percentage of aggregate principal amount of notes from equity offerings

40.00%

Intelsat Luxembourg [Member] | 11.25% Senior Notes due February 2017 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt amount repurchased, redeemed or prepaid

754,800,000

Intelsat Luxembourg [Member] | 11.5% / 12.5% Senior PIK Election Notes due February 2017 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt amount repurchased, redeemed or prepaid

2,500,000,000

Intelsat Jackson [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt

-110,300,000

-40,423,000

-2,553,000

-67,709,000

Aggregate principal amount of senior notes

2,600,000,000

Long-term debt

11,311,142,000

11,311,142,000

2,650,000,000

Intelsat Jackson [Member] | New Jackson Notes [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Interest payment dates

Semi-annually on April 1 and October 1

Early redemption price equal to percentage of principal amount of notes

100.00%

Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 2017 Senior Notes [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt amount repurchased, redeemed or prepaid

1,700,000,000

Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 5 1/2% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Interest rate

5.50%

5.50%

5.50%

Debt instrument, maturity date

2023-08

Aggregate principal amount of senior notes

2,000,000,000

Long-term debt

2,000,000,000

2,000,000,000

Early redemption price equal to percentage of principal amount of notes

100.00%

Early redemption price equal to percentage of aggregate principal amount of notes from equity offerings

40.00%

Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 6 5/8 % Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Interest rate

6.63%

Debt instrument, maturity date

2022-12

Aggregate principal amount of senior notes

635,000,000

Intelsat Jackson [Member] | New Senior Unsecured Credit Facility [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt amount repurchased, redeemed or prepaid

672,700,000

Intelsat Jackson [Member] | Senior Unsecured Credit Agreement [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Senior unsecured term loan facility

195,200,000

Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 7.25% Senior Notes due October 2020 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Interest rate

7.25%

7.25%

Debt instrument, maturity date

2020-10

Aggregate principal amount of senior notes

2,200,000,000

2,200,000,000

Long-term debt

2,200,000,000

2,200,000,000

1,200,000,000

Interest payment dates

Semi-annually on April 15 and October 15

Early redemption price equal to percentage of principal amount of notes

100.00%

Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 6.625 % Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Interest rate

6.63%

6.63%

Debt instrument, maturity date

2022-12

Long-term debt

1,275,000,000

1,275,000,000

Interest payment dates

Semi-annually on June 15 and December 15

Early redemption price equal to percentage of principal amount of notes

100.00%

Early redemption price equal to percentage of aggregate principal amount of notes from equity offerings

35.00%

Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 7.25% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Long-term debt

1,500,000,000

1,500,000,000

Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 7.5% Senior Notes due April 2021 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Interest rate

7.50%

7.50%

7.50%

Debt instrument, maturity date

2021-04

Long-term debt

1,150,000,000

1,150,000,000

1,150,000,000

Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 8.5% Senior Notes due November 2019 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt amount repurchased, redeemed or prepaid

500,000,000

Interest rate

8.50%

Debt instrument, maturity date

2019-11

Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt

-40,400,000

Intelsat Jackson [Member] | New Senior Unsecured Credit Agreement [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt

-200,000

Prepayment indebtedness

$138,200,000

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 15, 2014
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Non-cash credit valuation adjustment	$500,000
Interest Rate Swap Maturing January 2016 [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount	$1,600,000,000
Derivative maturity date	Jan-16
Floating rate of interest basis, description	Three-month LIBOR
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate utilized to compute interest		0.24%
Interest rate paid, averaged percentage		1.97%
Interest rate received, averaged percentage		0.23%

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Schedule of Fair Value of Derivatives by Category (Detail) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, fair value	$26,109	$48,819
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, fair value	1,321	1,241
Other Long-term Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, fair value	$24,788	$47,578

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed4

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Schedule of Effect of Derivative Instruments, Included in Interest Expense, Net in Consolidated Statements of Operations (Detail) (Included in Interest Expense, Net [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Included in Interest Expense, Net [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Undesignated interest rate swaps	$5,649	$8,064	$39,935

Income_Taxes_Summary_of_Total_

Income Taxes - Summary of Total Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Provision For Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	$259,477	($282,830)	($169,129)
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Provision For Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	199,682	-356,019	-627,617
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Provision For Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	$59,795	$73,189	$458,488

Income_Taxes_Provision_for_Ben

Income Taxes - Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current income tax provision:
Domestic	$2,306	$856	$1,019
Foreign	33,311	33,654	41,239
Total	35,617	34,510	42,258
Deferred income tax benefit:
Foreign	-12,646	-65,347	-61,889
Total	-12,646	-65,347	-61,889
Total income tax provision (benefit)	$22,971	($30,837)	($19,631)

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax [Line Items]
Deferred tax asset attributable to net operating loss carryforwards	$1,343,444,000	$1,265,624,000
Deferred tax assets attributable to tax credit carryforwards	58,643,000	73,916,000
Net operating loss carryforwards with expiration	61,600,000
Net operating loss carryforwards without expiration	1,300,000,000
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards	21,000,000
Research and development credit carryforward	4,400,000
Valuation allowance amount	1,397,237,000	1,464,706,000
Gross unrecognized tax benefits	67,135,000	65,111,000	67,015,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	45,600,000	44,400,000
Reserves for interest and penalties	17,300,000	14,700,000
Increase in prior period tax position	2,600,000
Increase related to current tax position	2,300,000
Decrease due to the expiration of statute of limitations for assessment of taxes	2,971,000	2,045,000
Base tax amount for indemnification calculation per tax separation agreement	75,000,000
Maximum tax exposure related to periods prior to recapitalization per tax separation agreement	15,000,000
Taxes paid related to periods prior to recapitalization	4,000,000
Tax indemnification receivable	$1,500,000	$1,500,000
Intelsat Luxembourg [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Enacted tax rate	29.22%
Minimum [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforward expiry Date	2019
Tax Indemnification Percentage	80.00%
Minimum [Member] | Research and Development Tax Credit Carryforward [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforward expiry Date	2030
Maximum [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforward expiry Date	2034
Tax Indemnification Percentage	100.00%
Maximum [Member] | Research and Development Tax Credit Carryforward [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforward expiry Date	2034

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Provis

Income Taxes - Income Tax Provision (Benefit) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Expected tax provision (benefit) at Luxembourg statutory income tax rate	$75,819	($82,643)	($48,709)
Foreign income tax differential	40,099	35,511	33,118
Nontaxable interest income	-53,361	-93,154	-136,478
U.S. extraterritorial income exclusion tax benefit			-37,597
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits	1,229	-3,997	1,756
Changes in valuation allowance	-24,147	171,433	174,038
Tax effect of 2011 Intercompany Sale	-6,740	-6,865	-6,416
Foreign Tax Credits	-2,147	-44,137
Research and Development Tax Credits	-5,564	-5,890
Other	-2,217	-1,095	657
Total income tax provision (benefit)	$22,971	($30,837)	($19,631)

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Net

Income Taxes - Components of Net Deferred Tax Liability (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Current deferred taxes, net	$76,315	$44,475
Long-term deferred taxes, net	-211,680	-202,638
Other assets	9,157	9,246
Deferred tax assets:
Accruals and advances	27,586	23,959
Amortizable intangible assets	74,062	188,800
Performance incentives	22,308	26,146
Customer deposits	55,573	51,318
Bad debt reserve	3,081	3,436
Accrued retirement benefits	92,320	67,337
Interest rate swap	295	568
Satellites and other property and equipment	11,348	44,487
Disallowed interest expense carryforward	108,446	95,427
Net operating loss carryforward	1,343,444	1,265,624
Tax credits	58,643	73,916
Other	15,576	15,675
Total deferred tax assets	1,812,682	1,856,693
Deferred tax liabilities:
Satellites and other property and equipment	-32,811	-49,077
Amortizable intangible assets	-58,789	-44,297
Non-amortizable intangible assets	-223,878	-254,384
Tax basis differences in investments and affiliates	-219,049	-187,283
Other	-7,126	-5,863
Total deferred tax liabilities	-541,653	-540,904
Valuation allowance	-1,397,237	-1,464,706
Total net deferred tax liabilities	($126,208)	($148,917)

Income_Taxes_Summary_of_Activi

Income Taxes - Summary of Activity Related to Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance at January 1	$65,111	$67,015
Increases related to current year tax positions	2,366	3,477
Increases related to prior year tax positions	2,629	3,107
Decreases related to prior year tax positions		-6,443
Expiration of statute of limitations for the assessment of taxes	-2,971	-2,045
Balance at December 31	$67,135	$65,111

Contractual_Commitments_Additi

Contractual Commitments - Additional Expenditures and Expected Year of Payment (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
2015	$706,936
2016	517,297
2017	457,448
2018	326,811
2019	156,837
2020 and thereafter	492,171
Total contractual commitments	2,657,500
Satellite Construction and Launch Obligations [Member]
Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
2015	539,966
2016	443,027
2017	387,680
2018	257,489
2019	90,833
2020 and thereafter	210,878
Total contractual commitments	1,929,873
Satellite Performance Incentive Obligations [Member]
Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
2015	36,552
2016	29,904
2017	28,263
2018	24,073
2019	22,076
2020 and thereafter	136,938
Total contractual commitments	277,806
Operating Leases [Member]
Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
2015	13,230
2016	14,421
2017	13,278
2018	12,901
2019	12,824
2020 and thereafter	131,694
Total contractual commitments	198,348
Sublease Rental Income [Member]
Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
2015	-496
2016	-436
2017	-150
2018	-156
2019	-158
2020 and thereafter	-694
Total contractual commitments	-2,090
Customer and Vendor Contracts [Member]
Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
2015	117,684
2016	30,381
2017	28,377
2018	32,504
2019	31,262
2020 and thereafter	13,355
Total contractual commitments	$253,563

Contractual_Commitments_Additi1

Contractual Commitments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Contractual commitments	$2,657,500,000
Total obligation related to operating leases	196,300,000
Total rental expense	13,000,000	13,100,000	7,000,000
Satellite Construction and Launch Obligations [Member]
Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Contractual commitments	1,929,873,000
Satellite Performance Incentive Obligations [Member]
Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Contractual commitments	277,806,000
Customer and Vendor Contracts [Member]
Contractual Commitments [Line Items]
Contractual commitments	$253,563,000

Business_and_Geographic_Segmen2

Business and Geographic Segment Information - Schedule of Geographic Distribution of Revenue (Detail) (Revenues [Member], Geographic Concentration Risk [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
North America [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	45.00%	45.00%	46.00%
Europe [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	17.00%	16.00%	16.00%
Latin America and Caribbean [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	16.00%	16.00%	15.00%
Africa and Middle East [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	14.00%	15.00%	16.00%
Asia Pacific [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	8.00%	8.00%	7.00%

Business_and_Geographic_Segmen3

Business and Geographic Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of major customers	10
Revenues [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Largest customers accounted revenue in percentage	26.00%	25.00%	25.00%

Business_and_Geographic_Segmen4

Business and Geographic Segment Information - Schedule of Off-Network and On-Network Revenues (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$619,122	$608,625	$615,749	$628,890	$642,848	$651,844	$653,803	$655,127	$2,472,386	$2,603,623	$2,610,152
On-Network Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									2,251,159	2,359,517	2,318,059
On-Network Revenues [Member] | Transponder, MSS and Other Off-Network Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									1,895,194	1,988,771	1,950,230
On-Network Revenues [Member] | Managed Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									297,296	298,623	276,024
On-Network Revenues [Member] | Channel [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									58,669	72,123	91,805
Off-Network and Other Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									221,227	244,106	292,093
Off-Network and Other Revenues [Member] | Transponder, MSS and Other Off-Network Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									172,624	194,601	234,143
Off-Network and Other Revenues [Member] | Satellite-Related Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									$48,603	$49,505	$57,950
Revenues [Member] | Service Concentration Risk [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage									100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Revenues [Member] | Service Concentration Risk [Member] | On-Network Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage									91.00%	91.00%	89.00%
Revenues [Member] | Service Concentration Risk [Member] | On-Network Revenues [Member] | Transponder, MSS and Other Off-Network Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage									77.00%	76.00%	75.00%
Revenues [Member] | Service Concentration Risk [Member] | On-Network Revenues [Member] | Managed Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage									12.00%	11.00%	11.00%
Revenues [Member] | Service Concentration Risk [Member] | On-Network Revenues [Member] | Channel [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage									2.00%	3.00%	4.00%
Revenues [Member] | Service Concentration Risk [Member] | Off-Network and Other Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage									9.00%	9.00%	11.00%
Revenues [Member] | Service Concentration Risk [Member] | Off-Network and Other Revenues [Member] | Transponder, MSS and Other Off-Network Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage									7.00%	7.00%	9.00%
Revenues [Member] | Service Concentration Risk [Member] | Off-Network and Other Revenues [Member] | Satellite-Related Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage									2.00%	2.00%	2.00%

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Horizons Satellite Holdings [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	50.00%
WP Com [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	49.00%
2008 MFA [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fee paid for termination		$39.10	$39.10
Write-off of prepaid fee		17.2	17.2
Expenses recorded for services			$64.20	$25.10

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation2

Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited) - Quarterly Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Revenue	$619,122	$608,625	$615,749	$628,890	$642,848	$651,844	$653,803	$655,127	$2,472,386	$2,603,623	$2,610,152
Income from operations	292,707	310,811	315,060	328,700	333,394	315,948	251,181	311,914	1,247,280	1,212,438	1,225,324
Net income (loss)	17,220	68,620	67,771	82,896	73,615	88,574	-407,266	-6,916	236,506	-251,993	-149,498
Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.	16,194	67,624	66,768	81,946	72,631	87,798	-408,305	-7,804	232,532	-255,680	-151,137
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$16,194	$67,624	$56,851	$81,946	$72,631	$87,798	($418,501)	($7,804)	$222,615	($265,876)	($151,137)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Intelsat S.A.:
Basic	$0.15	$0.63	$0.53	$0.77	$0.69	$0.83	($4.19)	($0.09)	$2.09	($2.70)	($1.82)
Diluted	$0.14	$0.58	$0.53	$0.70	$0.62	$0.75	($4.19)	($0.09)	$1.99	($2.70)	($1.82)

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation3

Quarterly Results of Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Results Of Operations [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt	($40,400,000)		($366,800,000)	($40,423,000)	($368,089,000)	($73,542,000)
Pre-tax charge				22,500,000	25,300,000	4,800,000
Decline in revenue		14,000,000
Payment for development costs	5,000,000
2008 MFA [Member]
Quarterly Results Of Operations [Line Items]
Fee paid for termination			39,100,000		39,100,000
Write-off of prepaid fee			17,200,000		17,200,000
Pre-tax charge			$21,300,000

Supplemental_Consolidating_Fin2

Supplemental Consolidating Financial Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 05, 2011	Apr. 26, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	$14,811,142
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-52,134	58,035	-6,900
Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	11,311,142			2,650,000
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-52,100	58,000	-6,900
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 7.25% Senior Notes due April 2019 [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	1,500,000			1,500,000
Senior Notes, Interest rate	7.25%			7.25%
Debt instrument, maturity date	2019-04
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 7.5% Senior Notes due April 2021 [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	1,150,000			1,150,000
Senior Notes, Interest rate	7.50%			7.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date	2021-04
Intelsat Jackson [Member] | 7.25% Senior Notes due October 2020 [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Carrying Value	$2,200,000				$1,200,000
Senior Notes, Interest rate	7.25%
Debt instrument, maturity date	2020-10

Supplemental_Consolidating_Fin3

Supplemental Consolidating Financial Information - Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$123,147	$247,790	$187,485	$296,724
Receivables, net of allowance	220,458	236,347
Deferred income taxes	76,315	44,475
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	35,945	33,224
Total current assets	455,865	561,836
Satellites and other property and equipment, net	5,880,264	5,805,540
Goodwill	6,780,827	6,780,827
Non-amortizable intangible assets	2,458,100	2,458,100
Amortizable intangible assets, net	500,545	568,775
Other assets	393,754	414,592
Total assets	16,469,355	16,589,670
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	205,582	182,939
Accrued interest payable	161,495	186,492
Current portion of long-term debt	49,000	24,418
Deferred satellite performance incentives	20,957	22,703
Other current liabilities	190,030	157,025
Total current liabilities	627,064	573,577
Long-term debt, net of current portion	14,762,142	15,262,996
Deferred satellite performance incentives, net of current portion	163,360	153,904
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	967,318	888,239
Deferred income taxes	211,680	202,638
Accrued retirement benefits	262,906	196,856
Other long-term liabilities	217,452	246,127
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
Common shares	1,067	1,060
Preferred shares	35	35
Other shareholders' equity (deficit)	-743,669	-935,762
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	16,469,355	16,589,670
Intelsat S.A. and Other Parent Guarantors [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	6,229	3,792	81	2,535
Receivables, net of allowance	12
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	940	1,272
Total current assets	7,181	5,064
Investment in affiliates	-270,172	-428,647
Other assets	88	88
Total assets	-262,903	-423,495
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	28,818	28,795
Intercompany payables	450,846	441,907
Total current liabilities	479,664	470,702
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
Common shares	1,067	1,060
Preferred shares	35	35
Other shareholders' equity (deficit)	-743,669	-895,292
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	-262,903	-423,495
Intelsat Luxembourg [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	1,068	139	91	908
Intercompany receivables	134,093
Total current assets	135,161	139
Investment in affiliates	3,084,655	3,053,901
Other assets	37,245	41,497
Total assets	3,257,061	3,095,537
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		32
Accrued interest payable	22,500	22,500
Intercompany payables		206
Total current liabilities	22,500	22,738
Long-term debt, net of current portion	3,500,000	3,500,000
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
Common shares	7,202	7,202
Other shareholders' equity (deficit)	-272,641	-434,403
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	3,257,061	3,095,537
Intelsat Jackson [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	63,633	193,090	133,379	240,175
Receivables, net of allowance	167,621	160,023
Deferred income taxes	74,466	46,228
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	27,938	25,846
Intercompany receivables	356,680	421,504
Total current assets	690,338	846,691
Satellites and other property and equipment, net	5,761,839	5,698,952
Goodwill	6,780,827	6,780,827
Non-amortizable intangible assets	2,458,100	2,458,100
Amortizable intangible assets, net	500,545	568,775
Investment in affiliates	141,594	227,320
Other assets	346,521	362,636
Total assets	16,679,764	16,943,301
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	154,445	132,454
Accrued interest payable	138,971	163,820
Current portion of long-term debt	49,000
Deferred satellite performance incentives	19,793	21,089
Other current liabilities	183,677	154,014
Total current liabilities	545,886	471,377
Long-term debt, net of current portion	11,262,142	11,762,996
Deferred satellite performance incentives, net of current portion	163,360	153,023
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	966,832	887,446
Deferred income taxes	201,212	191,298
Accrued retirement benefits	262,536	196,657
Other long-term liabilities	193,141	226,603
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
Common shares	3,466,429	3,466,429
Other shareholders' equity (deficit)	-381,774	-412,528
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	16,679,764	16,943,301
Intelsat Jackson Subsidiaries Guarantors [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	63,144	167,800	131,107	237,906
Receivables, net of allowance	167,569	159,656
Deferred income taxes	74,466	46,228
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	27,880	25,794
Intercompany receivables	285,453	386,820
Total current assets	618,512	786,298
Satellites and other property and equipment, net	5,761,839	5,698,952
Goodwill	6,780,827	6,780,827
Non-amortizable intangible assets	2,458,100	2,458,100
Amortizable intangible assets, net	500,545	568,775
Investment in affiliates	141,594	227,320
Other assets	240,844	222,679
Total assets	16,502,261	16,742,951
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	154,124	130,178
Accrued interest payable	1,803	2,458
Deferred satellite performance incentives	19,793	21,089
Other current liabilities	182,356	152,772
Total current liabilities	358,076	306,497
Deferred satellite performance incentives, net of current portion	163,360	153,023
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	966,832	887,446
Deferred income taxes	201,212	191,298
Accrued retirement benefits	262,536	196,657
Other long-term liabilities	168,353	179,025
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
Common shares	7,535,655	9,023,860
Other shareholders' equity (deficit)	6,846,237	5,805,145
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	16,502,261	16,742,951
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	52,217	50,769	53,934	53,106
Receivables, net of allowance	52,825	76,324
Deferred income taxes	1,849	-1,753
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	9,334	6,738
Intercompany receivables		20,609
Total current assets	116,225	152,687
Satellites and other property and equipment, net	118,425	147,106
Other assets	9,900	10,371
Total assets	244,550	310,164
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	24,585	22,290
Accrued interest payable	24	172
Current portion of long-term debt		24,418
Deferred satellite performance incentives	1,164	1,614
Other current liabilities	6,353	3,011
Intercompany payables	39,928
Total current liabilities	72,055	51,505
Deferred satellite performance incentives, net of current portion		881
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	486	793
Deferred income taxes	10,468	11,388
Accrued retirement benefits	370	199
Other long-term liabilities	24,311	19,524
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
Common shares	24	24
Other shareholders' equity (deficit)	136,837	225,850
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	244,550	310,164
Consolidation and Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	-63,144	-167,800	-131,107	-237,906
Receivables, net of allowance	-167,569	-159,656
Deferred income taxes	-74,466	-46,228
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-30,147	-26,426
Intercompany receivables	-776,226	-828,933
Total current assets	-1,111,552	-1,229,043
Satellites and other property and equipment, net	-5,761,839	-5,739,470
Goodwill	-6,780,827	-6,780,827
Non-amortizable intangible assets	-2,458,100	-2,458,100
Amortizable intangible assets, net	-500,545	-568,775
Investment in affiliates	-3,097,671	-3,079,894
Other assets	-240,844	-222,679
Total assets	-19,951,378	-20,078,788
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-156,390	-130,810
Accrued interest payable	-1,803	-2,458
Deferred satellite performance incentives	-19,793	-21,089
Other current liabilities	-182,356	-152,772
Intercompany payables	-490,774	-442,113
Total current liabilities	-851,116	-749,242
Deferred satellite performance incentives, net of current portion	-163,360	-153,023
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	-966,832	-887,446
Deferred income taxes	-201,212	-191,346
Accrued retirement benefits	-262,536	-196,657
Other long-term liabilities	-168,353	-179,025
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
Common shares	-11,009,310	-12,497,515
Other shareholders' equity (deficit)	-6,328,659	-5,224,534
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	($19,951,378)	($20,078,788)

Supplemental_Consolidating_Fin4

Supplemental Consolidating Financial Information - Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue	$619,122	$608,625	$615,749	$628,890	$642,848	$651,844	$653,803	$655,127	$2,472,386	$2,603,623	$2,610,152
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)									348,348	375,769	415,900
Selling, general and administrative									197,407	288,467	204,025
Depreciation and amortization									679,351	736,567	764,903
Gain on satellite insurance recoveries										-9,618
Total operating expenses									1,225,106	1,391,185	1,384,828
Income (loss) from operations	292,707	310,811	315,060	328,700	333,394	315,948	251,181	311,914	1,247,280	1,212,438	1,225,324
Interest (income) expense, net									944,787	1,122,261	1,310,783
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	-40,400						-366,800		-40,423	-368,089	-73,542
Other income (expense), net									-2,593	-4,918	-10,128
Income (loss) before income taxes									259,477	-282,830	-169,129
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes									22,971	-30,837	-19,631
Net income (loss)	17,220	68,620	67,771	82,896	73,615	88,574	-407,266	-6,916	236,506	-251,993	-149,498
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest									-3,974	-3,687	-1,639
Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.	16,194	67,624	66,768	81,946	72,631	87,798	-408,305	-7,804	232,532	-255,680	-151,137
Cumulative preferred dividends									-9,917	-10,196
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	16,194	67,624	56,851	81,946	72,631	87,798	-418,501	-7,804	222,615	-265,876	-151,137
Intelsat S.A. and Other Parent Guarantors [Member]
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative									7,547	62,861	4,247
Total operating expenses									7,547	62,861	4,247
Income (loss) from operations									-7,547	-62,861	-4,247
Interest (income) expense, net									10,153	40,916	67,377
Loss on early extinguishment of debt										-24,185
Subsidiary income (loss)									250,281	-85,180	-58,552
Other income (expense), net									2	-7	-13
Income (loss) before income taxes									232,583	-213,149	-130,189
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes									53
Net income (loss)									232,530	-213,149	-130,189
Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.									232,530	-213,149	-130,189
Cumulative preferred dividends									-9,917	-10,196
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders									222,613	-223,345
Intelsat Luxembourg [Member]
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative									139	8,167	25,264
Total operating expenses									139	8,167	25,264
Income (loss) from operations									-139	-8,167	-25,264
Interest (income) expense, net									274,253	438,052	610,771
Loss on early extinguishment of debt							-232,100			-341,351
Subsidiary income (loss)									545,402	728,465	587,519
Other income (expense), net											-1
Income (loss) before income taxes									271,010	-59,105	-48,517
Net income (loss)									271,010	-59,105	-48,517
Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.									271,010	-59,105	-48,517
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders									271,010	-59,105
Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue									2,281,331	2,382,169	2,318,470
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)									257,999	266,869	271,230
Selling, general and administrative									132,379	155,035	124,695
Depreciation and amortization									644,597	705,165	726,224
Gain on satellite insurance recoveries										-9,618
Total operating expenses									1,034,975	1,117,451	1,122,149
Income (loss) from operations									1,246,356	1,264,718	1,196,321
Interest (income) expense, net									660,763	644,838	619,650
Loss on early extinguishment of debt							-110,300		-40,423	-2,553	-67,709
Subsidiary income (loss)									14,729	70,409	25,510
Other income (expense), net									2,864	577	18,944
Income (loss) before income taxes									562,763	688,313	553,416
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes									17,361	-40,152	-34,103
Net income (loss)									545,402	728,465	587,519
Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.									545,402	728,465	587,519
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders									545,402	728,465
Intelsat Jackson Subsidiaries Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue									2,281,348	2,382,201	2,318,479
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)									257,999	266,869	291,757
Selling, general and administrative									131,874	152,961	123,465
Depreciation and amortization									644,597	705,165	709,120
Gain on satellite insurance recoveries										-9,618
Total operating expenses									1,034,470	1,115,377	1,124,342
Income (loss) from operations									1,246,878	1,266,824	1,194,137
Interest (income) expense, net									6,605	-10,042	-223,283
Subsidiary income (loss)									14,729	70,409	25,510
Other income (expense), net									2,770	42,772	18,951
Income (loss) before income taxes									1,257,772	1,390,047	1,461,881
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes									17,268	-38,819	-34,103
Net income (loss)									1,240,504	1,428,866	1,495,984
Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.									1,240,504	1,428,866	1,495,984
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders									1,240,504	1,428,866
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue									592,317	663,354	732,274
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)									491,460	504,983	585,263
Selling, general and administrative									57,493	62,469	49,819
Depreciation and amortization									34,754	34,623	40,061
Total operating expenses									583,707	602,075	675,143
Income (loss) from operations									8,610	61,279	57,131
Interest (income) expense, net									-382	-1,545	12,985
Loss on early extinguishment of debt											-5,833
Other income (expense), net									-5,461	-5,488	-6,724
Income (loss) before income taxes									3,531	57,336	31,589
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes									5,557	9,315	14,475
Net income (loss)									-2,026	48,021	17,114
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest									-3,974	-3,687	-1,639
Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.									-6,000	44,334	15,475
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders									-6,000	44,334
Consolidation and Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Revenue									-2,682,610	-2,824,101	-2,759,071
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)									-659,110	-662,952	-732,350
Selling, general and administrative									-132,025	-153,026	-123,465
Depreciation and amortization									-644,597	-708,386	-710,502
Gain on satellite insurance recoveries										9,618
Total operating expenses									-1,435,732	-1,514,746	-1,566,317
Income (loss) from operations									-1,246,878	-1,309,355	-1,192,754
Interest (income) expense, net									-6,605	10,042	223,283
Subsidiary income (loss)									-825,141	-784,103	-579,987
Other income (expense), net									-2,768	-42,772	-41,285
Income (loss) before income taxes									-2,068,182	-2,146,272	-2,037,309
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes									-17,268	38,819	34,100
Net income (loss)									-2,050,914	-2,185,091	-2,071,409
Net income (loss) attributable to Intelsat S.A.									-2,050,914	-2,185,091	-2,071,409
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders									($2,050,914)	($2,185,091)

Supplemental_Consolidating_Fin5

Supplemental Consolidating Financial Information - Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows from operating activities	$1,046,170	$716,892	$821,310
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)	-645,424	-600,792	-866,016
Proceeds from insurance settlements		487,930
Proceeds from sale of building, net of fees			82,415
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds		-19,199
Other investing activities	174	-2,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-645,250	-134,061	-783,601
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	-610,418	-6,904,162	-2,474,811
Repayment of notes payable to former shareholders		-868	-1,683
Payment of premium on early extinguishment of debt	-21,250	-311,224	-65,920
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	135,000	6,254,688	2,451,521
Debt issuance costs		-84,845	-27,384
Proceeds from initial public offering		572,500
Stock issuance costs		-26,683
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	-9,919	-5,235
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives	-19,774	-17,503	-15,969
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest	12,209	12,209	12,209
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	-8,744	-8,671	-8,838
Other financing activities	3,893	3,271
Principal payments on capital lease obligations			0
Repurchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest			-8,744
Net cash used in financing activities	-519,003	-516,523	-139,619
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-6,560	-6,003	-7,329
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-124,643	60,305	-109,239
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	247,790	187,485	296,724
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	123,147	247,790	187,485
Intelsat S.A. and Other Parent Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows from operating activities	-1,366	-108,561	-40,535
Cash flows from investing activities:
Repayment from (disbursements for) intercompany loans	9,214	-23,644
Investment in subsidiaries	-3,790	-11,436	-5,549
Dividend from affiliates	8,300	20,181	32,481
Net cash used in investing activities	13,724	-14,899	26,932
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		-353,550
Repayment of notes payable to former shareholders		-868	-1,683
Payment of premium on early extinguishment of debt		-9,395
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing	-4,233	-52,391	12,845
Proceeds from initial public offering		572,500
Stock issuance costs		-26,683
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	-9,919	-5,235
Other financing activities	4,231	2,800
Principal payments on capital lease obligations			0
Net cash used in financing activities	-9,921	127,178	11,162
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		-7	-13
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	2,437	3,711	-2,454
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	3,792	81	2,535
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	6,229	3,792	81
Intelsat Luxembourg [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows from operating activities	-270,171	-622,489	-626,653
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment in subsidiaries		-17,248
Dividend from affiliates	279,400	524,812	658,318
Net cash used in investing activities	279,400	507,564	658,318
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		-5,307,986
Payment of premium on early extinguishment of debt		-301,762
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		3,500,000
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing		2,289,335
Debt issuance costs		-44,433
Dividends to shareholders	-8,300	-20,181	-32,481
Principal payments on capital lease obligations			0
Net cash used in financing activities	-8,300	114,973	-32,481
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			-1
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	929	48	-817
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	139	91	908
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,068	139	91
Intelsat Jackson [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows from operating activities	1,253,342	1,406,174	1,320,065
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)	-639,603	-591,762	-857,311
Proceeds from insurance settlements		487,930
Proceeds from sale of building, net of fees			82,415
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds		-19,199
Repayment from (disbursements for) intercompany loans	3,873	-2,223,001	10,435
Investment in subsidiaries	-194	-324	208
Dividend from affiliates	33,943	9,811	17,423
Other investing activities	174	-2,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-601,807	-2,338,545	-746,830
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	-586,000	-1,218,208	-2,364,508
Payment of premium on early extinguishment of debt	-21,250	-67	-65,920
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	135,000	2,754,688	2,451,521
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing	-9,214	20,151
Debt issuance costs		-40,412	-27,384
Capital contribution from parent		17,248
Dividends to shareholders	-279,400	-524,812	-658,318
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives	-18,705	-16,509	-14,833
Other financing activities	-338	471
Principal payments on capital lease obligations			0
Net cash used in financing activities	-779,907	992,550	-679,442
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,085	-468	-589
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-129,457	59,711	-106,796
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	193,090	133,379	240,175
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	63,633	193,090	133,379
Intelsat Jackson Subsidiaries Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows from operating activities	1,887,340	1,785,702	1,379,396
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)	-639,603	-591,762	-857,311
Proceeds from insurance settlements		487,930
Proceeds from sale of building, net of fees			82,415
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds		-19,199
Repayment from (disbursements for) intercompany loans	3,873	-593,753	-221,460
Investment in subsidiaries	-194	-324	208
Dividend from affiliates	33,943	9,811	17,423
Other investing activities	174	-2,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-601,807	-709,297	-978,725
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing		-44,111
Capital contribution from parent	103,698	45,062	57,657
Dividends to shareholders	-1,473,781	-1,024,160	-549,712
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives	-18,705	-16,509	-14,833
Other financing activities	-338	471
Principal payments on capital lease obligations			0
Net cash used in financing activities	-1,389,126	-1,039,247	-506,888
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,063	-465	-582
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-104,656	36,693	-106,799
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	167,800	131,107	237,906
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	63,144	167,800	131,107
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows from operating activities	64,363	41,767	168,433
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)	-5,821	-9,030	-8,705
Repayment from (disbursements for) intercompany loans		3,493
Net cash used in investing activities	-5,821	-5,537	-8,705
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	-24,418	-24,418	-110,303
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing	360	-13,943	-23,280
Capital contribution from parent	3,984	11,760	5,341
Dividends to shareholders	-33,943	-9,811	-17,423
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives	-1,069	-993	-1,136
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interest	12,209	12,209	12,209
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	-8,744	-8,671	-8,838
Principal payments on capital lease obligations			0
Repurchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest			-8,744
Net cash used in financing activities	-51,621	-33,867	-152,174
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-5,473	-5,528	-6,726
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	1,448	-3,165	828
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	50,769	53,934	53,106
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	52,217	50,769	53,934
Consolidation and Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows from operating activities	-1,887,338	-1,785,701	-1,379,396
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)	639,603	591,762	857,311
Proceeds from insurance settlements		-487,930
Proceeds from sale of building, net of fees			-82,415
Payment on satellite performance incentives from insurance proceeds		19,199
Repayment from (disbursements for) intercompany loans	-16,960	2,836,905	211,025
Investment in subsidiaries	4,178	29,332	5,133
Dividend from affiliates	-355,586	-564,615	-725,645
Other investing activities	-174	2,000
Net cash used in investing activities	271,061	2,426,653	265,409
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from (repayment of) intercompany borrowing	13,087	-2,199,041	10,435
Capital contribution from parent	-107,682	-74,070	-62,998
Dividends to shareholders	1,795,424	1,578,964	1,257,934
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives	18,705	16,508	14,833
Other financing activities	338	-471
Principal payments on capital lease obligations			0
Net cash used in financing activities	1,719,872	-678,110	1,220,204
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	1,061	465	582
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	104,656	-36,693	106,799
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	-167,800	-131,107	-237,906
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	($63,144)	($167,800)	($131,107)

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual1

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) (Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Valuation allowance, Balance at Beginning of Period	$35,288	$23,583	$20,830
Valuation allowance, Charged to Costs and Expenses	2,306	29,599	8,911
Valuation allowance, Deductions	-2,420	-17,894	-6,158
Valuation allowance, Balance at End of Period	$35,174	$35,288	$23,583