Intelsat (INTEQ) 10-Q 5 Nov 20 2020 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Nov. 03, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-35878
Entity Registrant Name	INTELSAT S.A.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	N4
Entity Tax Identification Number	98-1009418
Entity Address, Address Line One	4, rue Albert Borschette
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	L-1246
Entity Address, City or Town	Luxembourg
Entity Address, Country	LU
City Area Code	27 84
Local Phone Number	1600
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		142,145,054
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Central Index Key	0001525773
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,001,000	$ 810,626
Restricted cash	19,350	20,238
Receivables, net of allowances of $40,028 in 2019 and $29,838 in 2020	215,725	255,722
Contract assets	40,479	47,721
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	104,838	39,230
Total current assets	1,381,392	1,173,537
Satellites and other property and equipment, net	4,696,123	4,702,063
Goodwill	2,620,627	2,620,627
Non-amortizable intangible assets	2,440,700	2,452,900
Amortizable intangible assets, net	253,425	276,752
Contract assets, net of current portion	57,715	74,109
Other assets	564,434	504,394
Total assets	12,014,416	11,804,382
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	172,271	88,107
Taxes payable	8,223	6,402
Employee related liabilities	35,371	44,648
Accrued interest payable	13,837	308,657
Current portion of long-term debt	5,400,953	0
Contract liabilities	127,879	137,706
Deferred satellite performance incentives	42,337	42,835
Other current liabilities	58,416	62,446
Total current liabilities	5,859,287	690,801
Long-term debt	0	14,465,483
Contract liabilities, net of current portion	1,060,732	1,113,450
Deferred satellite performance incentives, net of current portion	146,559	175,837
Deferred income taxes	63,922	55,171
Accrued retirement benefits, net of current portion	113,258	125,511
Other long-term liabilities	224,728	166,977
Liabilities subject to compromise	10,170,344	0
Shareholders’ deficit:
Common shares, nominal value $0.01 per share	1,421	1,411
Paid-in capital	2,572,324	2,565,696
Accumulated deficit	(8,144,803)	(7,503,830)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(61,191)	(63,135)
Total Intelsat S.A. shareholders’ deficit	(5,632,249)	(4,999,858)
Noncontrolling interest	7,835	11,010
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit	$ 12,014,416	$ 11,804,382

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	May 20, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Receivables, allowance	$ 29,838		$ 40,028
Common shares, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01

Unaudited Condensed Consolidate

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 489,449	$ 506,658	$ 1,430,303	$ 1,544,514
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)	120,267	104,743	331,771	305,595
Selling, general and administrative	69,215	60,750	214,586	168,263
Depreciation and amortization	162,573	161,536	488,235	496,438
Satellite impairment loss	0	0	0	381,565
Impairment of non-amortizable intangible and other assets	0	0	46,243	0
Total operating expenses	352,055	327,029	1,080,835	1,351,861
Income from operations	137,394	179,629	349,468	192,653
Interest expense, net	138,075	315,964	678,937	953,246
Other income (expense), net	3,067	(5,115)	8,564	(32,374)
Reorganization items	(36,367)	0	(335,059)	0
Loss before income taxes	(33,981)	(141,450)	(655,964)	(792,967)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(18,650)	6,248	(17,691)	3,884
Net loss	(15,331)	(147,698)	(638,273)	(796,851)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(600)	(594)	(1,784)	(1,785)
Net loss attributable to Intelsat S.A.	$ (15,931)	$ (148,292)	$ (640,057)	$ (798,636)
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (110)	$ (1.05)	$ (4,510)	$ (5.70)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (110)	$ (1.05)	$ (4,510)	$ (5.70)

Unaudited Condensed Consolida_2

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (15,331)	$ (147,698)	$ (638,273)	$ (796,851)
Defined benefit retirement plans:
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of unrecognized prior service credits, net of tax included in other income (expense), net	(626)	(625)	(1,878)	(1,877)
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss, net of tax included in other income (expense), net	1,274	736	3,822	2,207
Adoption of ASU 2018-02 (see Note 13—Income Taxes)	0	0	0	(16,191)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	648	111	1,944	(15,861)
Comprehensive loss	(14,683)	(147,587)	(636,329)	(812,712)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(600)	(594)	(1,784)	(1,785)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Intelsat S.A.	$ (15,283)	$ (148,181)	$ (638,113)	$ (814,497)

Unaudited Condensed Consolida_3

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Deficit - USD ($) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	Total	Common Shares	Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated DeficitCumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Accumulated DeficitRevision of Prior Period, Accounting Standards Update, Adjustment	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Other Comprehensive LossRevision of Prior Period, Accounting Standards Update, Adjustment	Total Intelsat S.A. Shareholders’ Deficit	Total Intelsat S.A. Shareholders’ DeficitCumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018		138
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018		$ 1,380	$ 2,551,471	$ (6,606,426)		$ 16,191	$ (43,430)	$ (16,191)	$ (4,097,005)		$ 14,396
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)				(120,622)					(120,622)		580
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests											(1,925)
Share-based compensation (in shares)		2.6
Share-based compensation		$ 26	2,913						2,939
Postretirement/pension liability adjustment, net of tax							110		110
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019		140.6
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019		$ 1,406	2,554,384	(6,710,857)			(59,511)		(4,214,578)		13,051
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018		138
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018		$ 1,380	2,551,471	(6,606,426)		16,191	(43,430)	(16,191)	(4,097,005)		14,396
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	$ (798,636)
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019		141
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019		$ 1,410	2,562,646	(7,388,871)			(59,291)		(4,884,106)		11,350
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018		138
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018		$ 1,380	2,551,471	(6,606,426)		$ 16,191	(43,430)	$ (16,191)	(4,097,005)		14,396
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019		141.1
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2019		$ 1,411	2,565,696	(7,503,830)	$ (916)		(63,135)		(4,999,858)	$ (916)	11,010
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201613Member
Beginning balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019		140.6
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2019		$ 1,406	2,554,384	(6,710,857)			(59,511)		(4,214,578)		13,051
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)				(529,722)					(529,722)		610
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests											(1,469)
Share-based compensation (in shares)		0.1
Share-based compensation		$ 1	3,586						3,587
Postretirement/pension liability adjustment, net of tax							109		109
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2019		140.7
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019		$ 1,407	2,557,970	(7,240,579)			(59,402)		(4,740,604)		12,192
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	$ (148,292)			(148,292)					(148,292)		594
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests											(1,436)
Share-based compensation (in shares)		0.3
Share-based compensation		$ 3	4,676						4,679
Postretirement/pension liability adjustment, net of tax							111		111
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019		141
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019		$ 1,410	2,562,646	(7,388,871)			(59,291)		(4,884,106)		11,350
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019		141.1
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019		$ 1,411	2,565,696	(7,503,830)	(916)		(63,135)		(4,999,858)	(916)	11,010
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)				(218,771)					(218,771)		556
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests											(1,879)
Share-based compensation (in shares)		1
Share-based compensation		$ 10	971						981
Postretirement/pension liability adjustment, net of tax							648		648
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020		142.1
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020		$ 1,421	2,566,667	(7,723,517)			(62,487)		(5,217,916)		9,687
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019		141.1
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019		$ 1,411	2,565,696	(7,503,830)	$ (916)		(63,135)		(4,999,858)	$ (916)	11,010
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(640,057)
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020		142.1
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2020		$ 1,421	2,572,324	(8,144,803)			(61,191)		(5,632,249)		7,835
Beginning balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020		142.1
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2020		$ 1,421	2,566,667	(7,723,517)			(62,487)		(5,217,916)		9,687
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)				(405,355)					(405,355)		628
Share-based compensation			2,737						2,737
Postretirement/pension liability adjustment, net of tax							648		648
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2020		142.1
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020		$ 1,421	2,569,404	(8,128,872)			(61,839)		(5,619,886)		10,315
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	$ (15,931)			(15,931)					(15,931)		600
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests											(3,080)
Share-based compensation			2,920						2,920
Postretirement/pension liability adjustment, net of tax							648		648
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020		142.1
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2020		$ 1,421	$ 2,572,324	$ (8,144,803)			$ (61,191)		$ (5,632,249)		$ 7,835

Unaudited Condensed Consolida_4

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (638,273)	$ (796,851)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	488,235	496,438
Provision for doubtful accounts	36,360	13,429
Foreign currency transaction loss	7,330	5,119
Loss on disposal of assets	0	171
Satellite impairment loss	0	381,565
Impairment of non-amortizable intangible and other assets	46,243	0
Share-based compensation	9,399	10,215
Deferred income taxes	4,720	(1,029)
Amortization of discount, premium, issuance costs and related costs	19,689	31,011
Non-cash reorganization items	196,974	0
Debtor-in-possession financing fees	52,182	0
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service credits for retirement benefits	1,976	336
Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments	372	21,104
Unrealized losses on investments and loans held-for-investment	721	36,482
Sales-type lease	0	7,064
Other non-cash items	0	(82)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables	2,769	(4,015)
Prepaid expenses, contract and other assets	(67,253)	(7,556)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	60,624	2,933
Accrued interest payable	48,713	(1,076)
Contract liabilities	(62,737)	(17,336)
Accrued retirement benefits	(12,253)	(9,616)
Other long-term liabilities	(1,062)	(4,877)
Net cash provided by operating activities	194,729	163,429
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)	(419,952)	(202,265)
Origination of loans held-for-investment	(2,300)	(19,424)
Proceeds from loans held-for-investment	973	0
Capital contribution to unconsolidated affiliate (including capitalized interest)	(2,692)	(338)
Other proceeds from satellites	5,625	7,500
Net cash used in investing activities	(418,346)	(214,527)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	400,000
Debt issuance costs	0	(4,650)
Proceeds from debtor-in-possession financing	500,000	0
Debtor-in-possession financing fees	(52,182)	0
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives	(25,428)	(20,991)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(4,959)	(4,830)
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options	0	989
Other financing activities	0	298
Net cash provided by financing activities	417,431	370,816
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(4,328)	(2,241)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	189,486	317,477
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period	830,864	507,157
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period	1,020,350	824,634
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for reorganization items included in cash flows from operating activities	53,983	0
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	532,234	840,180
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	4,717	9,284
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Accrued capital expenditures	51,221	3,825
Conversion of loans held-for-investment to equity securities	$ 4,802	$ 0

General

General	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
General	General Basis of Presentation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Intelsat S.A. and its subsidiaries (“Intelsat S.A.,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) have not been audited, but are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. References to U.S. GAAP issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of these financial statements. The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the full year or for any future period. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Use of Estimates The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of these condensed consolidated 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. Bankruptcy Accounting Our condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared as if we are a going concern and reflect the application of ASC 852, Reorganizations (“ASC 852”). ASC 852 requires the financial statements, for periods subsequent to the commencement of the Chapter 11 proceedings, to distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Accordingly, we classify liabilities and obligations whose treatment and satisfaction are dependent on the outcome of the reorganization under the Chapter 11 proceedings as liabilities subject to compromise on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. In addition, we classify all income, expenses, gains or losses that are incurred or realized as a result of the Chapter 11 proceedings as reorganization items in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. See Note 2 — Chapter 11 Proceedings, Ability to Continue as a Going Concern and Other Related Matters. Impact of COVID-19 on the Company As a result of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, in the first, second and third quarters of 2020, in an effort to safeguard public health, governments around the world, including United States (“U.S.”) federal, state and local governments, implemented a number of orders and restrictions on travel and businesses, among other things. Some of these measures remain in effect and have negatively impacted the U.S. and other economies around the world in the short-term, while the long-term economic impact of COVID-19 remains unknown. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition, a trend we expect to continue. Among the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic were a reduction of revenue and a decreased likelihood of collection from certain mobility customers. We continue to closely monitor the ongoing impact on our employees, customers, business and results of operations. Gogo Inc. Transaction On August 31, 2020, following approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (the “Bankruptcy Court”), Intelsat Jackson and Gogo Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Gogo”), entered into a purchase and sale agreement (the “Purchase and Sale Agreement”) with respect to Gogo’s commercial aviation business for $400.0 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments (the “Purchase Price”). The transaction further propels the Company’s efforts in the growing commercial in-flight connectivity market, pairing our high-capacity global satellite and ground network with Gogo’s installed base of more than 3,000 commercial aircraft to redefine the connectivity experience. We expect to fund the Purchase Price with proceeds from our existing DIP Facility (as defined below) and cash on hand. In connection therewith, on August 24, 2020, the DIP Debtors and DIP Lenders (each as defined below) entered into an amendment (“DIP Amendment No. 1”) to the DIP Credit Agreement (as defined below), in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Gogo Transaction”). DIP Amendment No. 1 was approved by the Bankruptcy Court on August 31, 2020. The Gogo Transaction is expected to close before the end of the first quarter of 2021, subject to the receipt of certain regulatory approvals and the satisfaction or waiver of certain other customary closing conditions. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash 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 fair value. Restricted cash represents legally restricted amounts being held as a compensating balance for certain outstanding letters of credit. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within our condensed consolidated balance sheets to the total sum of these amounts reported in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands): As of As of Cash and cash equivalents $ 810,626 $ 1,001,000 Restricted cash 20,238 19,350 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 830,864 $ 1,020,350 Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which changes how companies measure and recognize credit impairment for any financial assets. The standard requires companies to immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of the financial assets that are within the scope of the standard. We adopted ASU 2016-13 and its amendments in the first quarter of 2020, on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 and its amendments increased our reserve for credit losses by $0.9 million as of January 1, 2020. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”), which is intended to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill. The amendments in ASU 2017-04 modify the concept of impairment from the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value to the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. An entity will no longer determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities, as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. We adopted ASU 2017-04 in the first quarter of 2020, on a prospective basis. As a result, we will measure impairment using the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the reporting unit, if required. In the first quarter of 2020, we conducted a goodwill impairment analysis and determined the fair value of our reporting unit to be greater than its carrying value, resulting in no impairment of goodwill. See Note 10 — Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for further information. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)—Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”), as part of its disclosure framework project to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to financial statements. Changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty were applied prospectively for only the most recent interim period presented. All other amendments were applied retrospectively for all periods presented. ASU 2018-13 and its amendments were adopted by the Company in the first quarter of 2020. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Defined Benefit Plans—General (Subtopic 715-20)—Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans (“ASU 2018-14”), as part of its disclosure framework project to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to financial statements. ASU 2018-14 modifies and clarifies disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. The amendments remove certain disclosure requirements and require additional disclosures. ASU 2018-14 will be effective for the Company for annual periods in fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020, on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. We are in the process of evaluating the impact that ASU 2018-14 will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and associated disclosures. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting For Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”). The standard removes certain exceptions for recognizing deferred taxes for investments, performing intra-period allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. It also adds guidance to reduce complexity in certain areas, including recognizing deferred taxes for tax goodwill and allocating taxes to members of a consolidated group. ASU 2019-12 will be effective for the Company for annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. We are in the process of evaluating the impact that ASU 2019-12 will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and associated disclosures.

Chapter 11 Proceedings, Ability

Chapter 11 Proceedings, Ability to Continue as a Going Concern and Other Related Matters	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Reorganizations [Abstract]
Chapter 11 Proceedings, Ability to Continue as a Going Concern and Other Related Matters	Chapter 11 Proceedings, Ability to Continue as a Going Concern and Other Related Matters Voluntary Reorganization under Chapter 11 On May 13, 2020, Intelsat S.A. and certain of its subsidiaries (each, a “Debtor” and collectively, the “Debtors”) commenced voluntary cases (the “Chapter 11 Cases”) under title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the Bankruptcy Court. Primary factors causing us to file for Chapter 11 protection included the Company’s intention to participate in the accelerated clearing process of C-band spectrum set forth in the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC”) March 3, 2020 final order (the “FCC Final Order”), requiring the Company to incur significant costs related to clearing activities well in advance of receiving reimbursement for such costs and the need for additional financing to fund the C-band clearing process, service our current debt obligations, and meet our operating requirements, as well as the economic slowdown impacting the Company and several of its end markets due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 14, 2020, the Company filed its final C-band spectrum transition plan with the FCC. On September 17, 2020, the Company announced it finalized all of its required contracts with satellite manufacturers and launch-vehicle providers to move forward and meet the accelerated C-band spectrum clearing timelines established by the FCC. The Chapter 11 process can be unpredictable and involves significant risks and uncertainties. Pursuant to various orders from the Bankruptcy Court, the Debtors have received approval from the Bankruptcy Court to generally maintain their ordinary operations and uphold certain commitments to their stakeholders, including employees, customers, and vendors, during the restructuring process, subject to the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. Our ability to fund operating expenses may be subject to obtaining further approvals from the Bankruptcy Court in connection with the Chapter 11 Cases. On June 9, 2020, Intelsat Jackson received approval from the Bankruptcy Court (the “DIP Order”) to enter into a non-amortizing multiple draw superpriority secured debtor-in-possession term loan facility (the “DIP Facility”), in an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion on the terms and conditions as set forth in the DIP Facility credit agreement (the “DIP Credit Agreement”) with certain of the Debtors’ prepetition secured parties (the “DIP Lenders”), and on June 17, 2020, Intelsat Jackson and certain of its subsidiaries as guarantors (together with Intelsat Jackson, the “DIP Debtors”) entered into the DIP Credit Agreement with the DIP Lenders, as amended by DIP Amendment No. 1 (see Note 1—General— Gogo Inc. Transaction ), which was approved by the Bankruptcy Court on August 31, 2020. For additional information regarding the DIP Facility, DIP Credit Agreement and DIP Amendment No. 1, see Note 11—Debt. On July 11, 2020, the Debtors filed with the Bankruptcy Court schedules and statements setting forth, among other things, the assets and liabilities of each of the Debtors, subject to the assumptions filed in connection therewith. These schedules and statements may be subject to further amendment or modification after filing. The filing of the Chapter 11 Cases constituted an event of default that accelerated substantially all of our obligations under the documents governing the prepetition existing indebtedness of Intelsat S.A., Intelsat Luxembourg, Intelsat Connect and Intelsat Jackson. For additional discussion regarding the impact of the Chapter 11 Cases on our debt obligations, see Note 11—Debt. While the Chapter 11 Cases are pending, the Debtors do not anticipate making interest payments due under their respective unsecured debt instruments; however, the Debtors expect to make monthly interest payments on their senior secured debt instruments pursuant to the adequate protection requirements under the DIP Order. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the contractual interest expense pursuant to our unsecured debt instruments that was not recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations was $196.4 million and $298.9 million, respectively. In order for the Debtors to emerge successfully from Chapter 11, the Debtors must obtain the required votes of creditors accepting a plan of reorganization as well as the Bankruptcy Court’s confirmation of such plan. A reorganization plan determines the rights and satisfaction of claims of various creditors and security holders and is subject to the ultimate outcome of negotiations and Bankruptcy Court decisions ongoing through the date on which it is confirmed. Delisting of Intelsat S.A. Common Shares On May 20, 2020, the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) filed a Form 25 with the SEC to delist the Company’s common shares, $0.01 par value from the NYSE. The delisting became effective 10 days after the Form 25 was filed. The deregistration of the common shares under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) became effective 90 days after the filing date of the Form 25. The common shares remain registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act. The Company’s common shares began trading on the OTC Pink Marketplace on May 19, 2020 under the symbol “INTEQ.” Liabilities Subject to Compromise Prepetition unsecured liabilities of the Debtors subject to compromise under the Chapter 11 proceedings have been distinguished from secured liabilities that are not expected to be compromised and post-petition liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Liabilities subject to compromise have been recorded at the amounts expected to be allowed by the Bankruptcy Court. The ultimate settlement amounts of these liabilities remain at the discretion of the Bankruptcy Court and may vary from the expected allowed amounts. Liabilities subject to compromise consisted of the following (in thousands): As of Accounts payable $ 9,874 Debt subject to comprise 9,782,161 Accrued interest on debt subject to compromise 341,676 Other long-term liabilities subject to compromise 36,633 Total liabilities subject to compromise $ 10,170,344 Reorganization Items The expenses, gains and losses directly and incrementally resulting from the Chapter 11 Cases are separately reported as reorganization items in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Reorganization items consisted of the following (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Adjustment of debt discount, premium and issuance costs $ — $ 196,974 Debtor-in-possession financing fees — 52,182 Professional fees 36,262 85,233 Other reorganization costs 105 670 Total reorganization items $ 36,367 $ 335,059 Going Concern Our condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates continuity of operations, realization of assets, and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. In connection with the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements, we conducted an evaluation as to whether there were conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raised substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. As reflected in our condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $1.0 billion and an accumulated deficit of $8.1 billion as of September 30, 2020. The Company generated income from operations of $349.5 million and a net loss of $638.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. In light of the Company’s Chapter 11 proceedings, our ability to continue as a going concern is contingent upon, among other things, our ability to, subject to the Bankruptcy Court’s approval, implement a business plan of reorganization, emerge from the Chapter 11 proceedings and generate sufficient liquidity following the reorganization to meet our contractual obligations and operating needs. As a result of risks and uncertainties related to, among other things, (i) the Company’s ability to obtain requisite support for the business plan of reorganization from various stakeholders, and (ii) the disruptive effects of the Chapter 11 proceedings on our business making it potentially more difficult to maintain business, financing and operational relationships, substantial doubt exists regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. The filing of the Chapter 11 Cases constituted an event of default that accelerated substantially all of our obligations under the documents governing the prepetition existing indebtedness of Intelsat S.A., Intelsat Luxembourg, Intelsat Connect and Intelsat Jackson. As such, we have reclassified all such debt obligations, other than debt subject to compromise, to current portion of long-term debt on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2020. For additional discussion regarding the impact of the Chapter 11 Cases on our debt obligations, see Note 11—Debt.

Share Capital

Share Capital	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Share Capital	Share CapitalUnder 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 September 30, 2020, there were approximately 142.1 million common shares issued and outstanding.

Revenue

Revenue	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue	Revenue (a) Revenue Recognition 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. On-network services are comprised primarily of services delivered on our owned network infrastructure, as well as commitments for third-party capacity, generally long-term in nature, that we integrate and market as part of our owned infrastructure. In the case of third-party services in support of government applications, the commitments for third-party capacity are shorter and matched to the government contracting period, and thus remain classified as off-network services. Off-network services can include transponder services and other satellite-based transmission services, such as mobile satellite services (“MSS”), which are sourced from other operators, often in frequencies not available on our network. Under the category Off-Network and Other Revenues, we also include revenues from consulting and other services. For each service type, the price per unit in our contracts is generally fixed for each defined time period. While the number of units or price per unit in our multi-year contracts may be different by year or another time period, the number of units and price per unit are fixed for each defined time period and the total contract price is fixed. To determine the proper revenue recognition method for contracts, we evaluate whether two or more services should be combined and accounted for as a single performance obligation. Our specific revenue recognition policies are as follows: Satellite Utilization Charges The Company’s contracts for satellite utilization services often contain multiple service orders for the provision of capacity on or over different beams, satellites, frequencies, geographies or time periods. Under each separate service order, the Company’s satellite services, comprised of transponder services, managed services, channel services, and occasional use managed services, are delivered in a series of time periods that are distinct from each other and have the same pattern of transfer to the customer. In each period, the Company’s obligation is to make those services available to the customer. Throughout each service period, the Company provides services that are able to be used continuously, and the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Company. We believe that, given that our services are stand-ready obligations that are available continuously, the passage of time most faithfully reflects our satisfaction of the performance obligation. We also have certain obligations, including providing spare or substitute capacity if available, in the event of satellite service failure under certain long-term agreements. While we are generally not obligated to refund satellite utilization payments previously made, credits may be granted for sustained service outages in certain limited circumstances. Similar to satellite utilization charges, we have determined that the customer simultaneously receives and consumes benefits provided by the Company for satellite related consulting and technical services, tracking, telemetry and commanding services (“TT&C”) and in-orbit backup services, as detailed below. Therefore, similar to satellite utilization charges, we believe that the passage of time most faithfully reflects our satisfaction of the performance obligation for these services: 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 performance obligations, such as transfer orbit support services or training programs over the service period. 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 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 backup services 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 principal versus agent considerations. We occasionally sell products or services individually or in some combination to our customers. When products or services are sold together, we allocate revenue for each performance obligation based on each obligation’s relative selling price. In these arrangements, revenue for products is recognized when the transfer of control passes to the customer, while service revenue is recognized over the service term. Contract Assets Contract assets include unbilled amounts typically resulting from sales under our long-term contracts when the total contract value is recognized on a straight-line basis and the revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer. Contract Liabilities Contract liabilities consist of advance payments and collections in excess of revenue recognized and deferred revenue. Our contracts at times contain prepayment terms that range from one month to one year in advance of providing the service. As a practical expedient, we do not need to adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if we expect, at contract inception, that the period of time between when the Company transfers a promised good or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that good or service will be one year or less. For a small subset of contracts with advance payments that contain prepayment terms greater than one year and up to fifteen years, we assess whether a significant financing component exists by considering the difference between the amount of promised consideration and the cash selling price of the promised services. The prepayment amount is generally based on a standard methodology that discounts the total of the standard monthly charges over the service term to determine the prepayment amount, resulting in a difference between the amount of promised consideration and the cash selling price of the promised services. The Company considers the timing difference between payment and the promised transfer of services, combined with the Company’s incremental borrowing rates, to determine whether a significant financing component exists. When a significant financing component exists, the amount of revenue recognized exceeds the amount of cash received from the customer. After receiving cash from the customer but prior to the Company providing services, the Company records additional contract liabilities as well as offsetting interest expense to reflect the upfront financing the Company is effectively receiving from the customer. Once the Company begins providing services, additional interest expense is recorded each period using the effective interest method, as well as corresponding additional revenue, which is recognized ratably over the service period. For the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, we recognized revenue of $54.8 million and $47.8 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, we recognized revenue of $200.3 million and $185.5 million, respectively, that were included in the contract liability balances as of January 1, 2019 and 2020, respectively. In addition, the total amount of consideration included in contract assets as of January 1, 2019 and 2020 that became unconditional for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020 was $9.1 million and $15.1 million, respectively. Assets Recognized from the Costs to Obtain a Customer Contract We recognize an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. We have determined that our sales incentive program meets the requirements to be capitalized due to the incremental nature of the costs and the expectation that the Company will recover such costs. The assets recognized from the costs to obtain a customer contract are amortized over a period that is consistent with the transfer to the customer of the services to which the asset relates. We capitalized $1.7 million and $1.5 million for our sales incentive program and amortized $1.2 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and we capitalized $5.7 million and $3.9 million for our sales incentive program and amortized $4.7 million and $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively. As of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, capitalized costs relating to our sales incentive program were $9.4 million and $9.5 million, respectively, which were included within other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Contract Modifications Contracts are often modified to account for changes in contract specifications or requirements. We consider contract modifications to exist when the modification either creates new rights or obligations or changes the existing enforceable rights and obligations of either party. Most of our contract modifications are for goods and services that are distinct from the existing contract, as they consist of additional months of service priced at the Company’s standalone selling prices of the additional services and are therefore treated as separate contracts. For contract modifications that do not result in additional distinct goods or services, the effect of a contract modification on the transaction price and our measure of progress for the performance obligation to which it relates, is recognized as an adjustment to revenue. Significant Judgments We occasionally enter into certain contracts in which the customer makes payments in advance of services to be delivered, which may be years in the future. The reasons for the prepayments in these contracts vary, but generally can be either for the customer’s benefit or for the Company’s benefit (such as the ability to use the cash received from the customer to pay for the construction of a satellite asset). The determination of whether contracts with a prepayment provision contain a significant financing component requires judgment. The Company makes this determination based on various factors, including the differences between the amount of promised consideration and cash selling prices, the length of time between payment and the transfer of services and prevailing interest rates in the market. While most satellite utilization contracts contain multiple performance obligations for each transponder service on different satellites, the service period for the different satellite utilization performance obligations is generally the same time period. In the event that the time period for multiple performance obligations is not the same, we allocate the total transaction price to each performance obligation in an amount based on the estimated relative standalone selling price of the promised good or service underlying such performance obligation. Judgment is required to determine the standalone selling price for each distinct performance obligation. In order to estimate standalone selling prices, we use an adjusted market assessment approach which involves an evaluation of the market and an estimate of the price that our customers are willing to pay, or an expected cost plus a margin approach. When more than one party is involved in providing goods or services to a customer, we generally recognize the transaction on a gross basis due to the level of control that we have prior to the transfer of the good or service. These arrangements include instances where we procure equipment from vendors and sell to third-party customers, when we enter into revenue sharing arrangements with other parties and when we purchase capacity for voice, data and video services provided by third-party commercial satellite operators for which the desired frequency type or geographic coverage is not available on our network. Our third-party capacity arrangements (off-network) are more significant and, in determining whether we are the principal or the agent in these arrangements, we consider whether or not we control the service before it is transferred to the customer. In this determination, we consider the definition of control as set forth in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), in ASC 606-10-25-25. When we purchase satellite transponder capacity from a third party, we have the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from the purchased capacity. We obtain the right to the service to be performed by the third party, which gives the Company the ability to direct that party to provide the service to the customer on the Company’s behalf. No other third party can direct the use of or obtain any benefits from the capacity. We also considered the factors in ASC 606-10-55-39 in the Company’s determination of control. In the vast majority of cases, when we resell capacity to third party customers, we are primarily responsible for the fulfillment of the services and acceptability of the service. Additionally, the Company has full discretion in establishing the pricing for transponder services with the customer and assumes the credit risk associated with capacity purchased from the third party. In the event the service is not acceptable to the customer, we are required to identify an alternative solution. Based on these considerations, we have concluded that we are the principal in the transaction for these arrangements. When these factors are not met, the Company recognizes revenue for third-party capacity arrangements on a net basis. Judgment is required in determining whether we are the principal or the agent in transactions involving third parties. Remaining Performance Obligations Our remaining performance obligation is our expected future revenue under our existing customer contracts and includes both cancelable and non-cancelable contracts. Our remaining performance obligation was approximately $6.1 billion as of September 30, 2020, approximately 92% of which related to contracts that were non-cancelable and approximately 8% of which related to contracts that were cancelable subject to substantial termination fees. We assess the contract term of our cancelable contracts as the full stated term of the contract assuming each contract is not canceled since the termination penalty upon cancellation is substantive. As of September 30, 2020, the weighted average remaining customer contract life was approximately 4.0 years. Approximately 29%, 27%, and 44% of our total remaining performance obligation as of September 30, 2020 is expected to be recognized as revenue during 2020 and 2021, 2022 and 2023, and 2024 and thereafter, respectively. The amount included in the remaining performance obligation represents the full-service charge for the duration of the contract and does not include termination fees. The amount of the termination fees, which is not included in the remaining performance obligation amount, is generally calculated as a percentage of the remaining performance obligation associated with the contract. In certain cases of breach for non-payment or customer financial distress or bankruptcy, we may not be able to recover the full value of certain contracts or termination fees. Our remaining performance obligation includes 100% of the remaining performance obligation of our consolidated ownership interests, which is consistent with the accounting for our ownership interest in these entities. (b) 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. Our revenues are disaggregated by billing region, service type and customer set. 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 U.S. The following table disaggregates revenue by billing region (in thousands, except percentages): Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended North America $ 271,001 53 % $ 266,516 54 % $ 804,014 52 % $ 758,999 53 % Europe 60,708 12 % 54,082 11 % 186,497 12 % 160,866 11 % Latin America and Caribbean 56,702 11 % 52,474 11 % 183,045 12 % 157,956 11 % Africa and Middle East 61,080 12 % 60,349 12 % 185,186 12 % 181,151 13 % Asia-Pacific 57,167 11 % 56,028 11 % 185,772 12 % 171,331 12 % Total $ 506,658 $ 489,449 $ 1,544,514 $ 1,430,303 The following table disaggregates revenue by type of service (in thousands, except percentages): Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended On-Network Revenues Transponder services $ 364,312 72 % $ 353,758 72 % $ 1,111,182 72 % $ 1,028,692 72 % Managed services 93,080 18 % 69,438 14 % 277,616 18 % 226,749 16 % Channel 601 — % 280 — % 1,877 — % 1,096 — % Total on-network revenues 457,993 90 % 423,476 87 % 1,390,675 90 % 1,256,537 88 % Off-Network and Other Revenues Transponder, MSS and other off-network services 39,129 8 % 54,478 11 % 126,704 8 % 141,783 10 % Satellite-related services 9,536 2 % 11,495 2 % 27,135 2 % 31,983 2 % Total off-network and other revenues 48,665 10 % 65,973 13 % 153,839 10 % 173,766 12 % Total $ 506,658 $ 489,449 $ 1,544,514 $ 1,430,303 By customer application, our revenues from network services, media, government and satellite-related services were $180.8 million, $222.9 million, $95.7 million and $7.3 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to $169.6 million, $203.5 million, $108.0 million and $8.3 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2020. Revenues from network services, media, government and satellite-related services were $570.2 million, $672.3 million, $282.3 million and $19.7 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to $495.7 million, $611.9 million, $299.9 million and $22.8 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Our largest customer accounted for approximately 15% and 14% of our revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and 15% and 14% during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively. Our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 42% and 43% of our revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and approximately 40% and 41% during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively.

Net Loss per Share

Net Loss per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Loss per Share	Net Loss per ShareBasic net loss per common share attributable to Intelsat S.A. (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net loss attributable to Intelsat S.A.’s common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods. Diluted EPS assumes the issuance of common shares pursuant to share-based compensation plans and conversion of the Intelsat S.A. 4.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 (the "2025 Convertible Notes"), unless the effect of such issuances would be anti-dilutive. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS (in thousands, except per share data or where otherwise noted): Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended Numerator: Net loss attributable to Intelsat S.A. $ (148,292) $ (15,931) $ (798,636) $ (640,057) Denominator: Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in millions) 140.9 142.1 140.1 141.9 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in millions): 140.9 142.1 140.1 141.9 Basic EPS $ (1.05) $ (0.11) $ (5.70) $ (4.51) Diluted EPS $ (1.05) $ (0.11) $ (5.70) $ (4.51) In June 2018, Intelsat S.A. completed an offering of $402.5 million aggregate principal amount of its 2025 Convertible Notes. We do not expect to settle the principal amount of the 2025 Convertible Notes in cash, and therefore use the if-converted method for calculating any potential dilutive effect of the conversion on diluted EPS, if applicable. Under the indenture governing the 2025 Convertible Notes (the “2025 Indenture”), the 2025 Convertible Notes are eligible for conversion depending upon the trading price of our common shares and under other conditions set forth in the indenture until December 15, 2024, and thereafter without regard to any conditions. The commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases constituted an event of default under the 2025 Indenture. See Note 11—Debt for additional information on the impact of the Chapter 11 Cases on our debt obligations. Due to a net loss for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, there were no dilutive securities, and therefore, basic and diluted EPS were the same. The weighted average number of common shares that could potentially dilute basic EPS in the future was 26.5 million and 22.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and 26.8 million and 22.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively, primarily consisting of the 2025 Convertible Notes.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure ("ASC 820") defines fair value, establishes a market-based framework or hierarchy for measuring fair value and provides for certain required disclosures about fair value measurements. The guidance is applicable whenever another accounting pronouncement requires or permits assets and liabilities to be measured at fair value but does not require any new fair value measurements. 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. Recurring Fair Value Measurements The tables below present assets measured and recorded at fair value in our condensed consolidated balance sheets on a recurring basis and their corresponding level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands). No transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements occurred for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2019 Description As of December 31, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Marketable securities (1) $ 5,145 $ 5,145 $ — $ — Undesignated interest rate cap contracts (2) 372 — 372 — Common stock warrant (3) 3,239 — — 3,239 Total assets $ 8,756 $ 5,145 $ 372 $ 3,239 Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2020 Description As of September 30, 2020 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Marketable securities (1) $ 4,823 $ 4,823 $ — $ — Common stock warrant (3) 3,239 — — 3,239 Total assets $ 8,062 $ 4,823 $ — $ 3,239 (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 marketable securities was $4.3 million and $3.9 million as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively. We sold marketable securities with a cost basis of $0.1 million resulting in a nominal gain during each of the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020. We sold marketable securities with a cost basis of $0.6 million and $0.5 million resulting in a nominal gain during each of the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively. These amounts are included in other income (expense), net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. (2) The valuation of our interest rate derivative instruments reflects the fair value of premiums paid, taking into account observable inputs including current interest rates, the market expectation for future interest rate volatility and current creditworthiness of the counterparties. As a result, we have determined that the valuation in its entirety is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. (3) We valued the common stock warrant using a valuation technique that reflects the risk-free interest rate, time to maturity and volatility of comparable companies. We identified the inputs used to calculate the fair value as Level 3 inputs and concluded that the valuation in its entirety is classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. The following table presents a reconciliation of the preferred and common stock warrants which are measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs (in thousands): Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended Balance as of beginning of period $ 247 $ 3,239 $ 4,100 $ 3,239 Unrealized loss included in other income (expense), net (247) — (4,100) — Balance as of end of period $ — $ 3,239 $ — $ 3,239 Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements The carrying values of certain assets may be adjusted to fair value in subsequent periods on a nonrecurring basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the asset is impaired or, for investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values, observable transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer support a change in the investment fair value. During the first quarter of 2020, as a result of our interim impairment assessments, we recognized an impairment of non-amortizable intangible assets of $12.2 million. This fair value measurement is classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy due to the use of significant unobservable inputs. See Note 10—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for additional information. Other Fair Value Disclosures

Retirement Plans and Other Reti

Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits	Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits (a) Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits We maintain a noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan covering substantially all of our 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, as part of the overall medical plan, we provide postretirement medical benefits to certain current retirees who meet the criteria under the medical plan for postretirement benefit eligibility. In 2015, we amended the defined benefit retirement plan to end the accrual of additional benefits for the remaining active participants. We have received authorization from the Bankruptcy Court to continue making contributions in the ordinary course during our Chapter 11 Cases. 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 years. The impact on the funded status is determined based upon market conditions in effect when we completed our annual valuation. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we made cash contributions to the defined benefit retirement plan of $3.1 million. We anticipate that our remaining contributions to the defined benefit retirement plan in 2020 will be approximately $0.9 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 2020 will be approximately $2.9 million. Included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2020 was $94.4 million ($63.0 million, net of tax) that has not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost. The tables below show the components of net periodic benefit cost (income) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020 (in thousands). These amounts are recognized in other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Pension Benefits Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended Interest cost $ 3,848 $ 2,962 $ 11,543 $ 8,888 Expected return on plan assets (5,873) (5,810) (17,618) (17,431) Amortization of unrecognized net loss 1,055 1,600 3,166 4,799 Net periodic benefit income $ (970) $ (1,248) $ (2,909) $ (3,744) Other Postretirement Benefits Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended Interest cost $ 383 $ 266 $ 1,149 $ 798 Amortization of unrecognized prior service credits (636) (636) (1,908) (1,908) Amortization of unrecognized net gain (307) (305) (922) (915) Net periodic benefit income $ (560) $ (675) $ (1,681) $ (2,025) (b) Other Retirement Plans We maintain a defined contribution retirement plan qualified under the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code for our employees in the United States. We have received authorization from the Bankruptcy Court to continue making our contributions in the ordinary course during the Chapter 11 Cases. We recognized compensation expense for this plan of $2.1 million and $2.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and $6.4 million and $6.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, 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.

Satellites and Other Property a

Satellites and Other Property and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Satellites and Other Property and Equipment	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 Satellites and launch vehicles $ 10,407,690 $ 10,361,059 Information systems and ground segment 968,482 1,020,132 Buildings and other 280,109 288,484 Total cost 11,656,281 11,669,675 Less: accumulated depreciation (6,954,218) (6,973,552) Total $ 4,702,063 $ 4,696,123 Satellites and other property and equipment are stated at historical cost, except for satellites that have been impaired. Satellites and other property and equipment acquired as part of an acquisition are stated based on their fair value at the date of acquisition. During the first quarter of 2020, the price of our common shares and trading values of our debt securities experienced sustained reductions. We also witnessed certain declines in financial performance as compared to previously prepared internal budget and forecast projections. Among the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic were a reduction of revenue and a decreased likelihood of collection from certain mobility customers. Based on our examination of these and other qualitative factors, we concluded that further testing of satellites and other property and equipment was required. The Company evaluated the assets for potential impairment using internal projections of undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposal of the assets. If the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from its use, an impairment expense is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its fair value. The impairment expense cannot exceed the carrying amount of the long-lived assets (unless the carrying amount is not being reduced below fair value for any individual long-lived asset that is determinable without undue cost and effort). In estimating the undiscounted cash flows, we primarily used our internally prepared budgets and forecast information. The key assumptions included in our model were projected growth rates, cost of capital, effective tax rates, and industry and economic trends. A change in estimated future cash flows or other assumptions could change our estimated fair values and result in future impairments. The conclusion of our analysis was that the undiscounted cash flows of the asset group were greater than its carrying value, resulting in no impairment. Satellites and other property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, included construction-in-progress of $191.5 million and $606.5 million as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively. These amounts relate primarily to satellites under construction and related launch services. As of September 30, 2020, we incurred C-band clearing related costs and expenses of $312.1 million, of which $311.6 million is capitalized and expected to be reimbursable under the FCC Final Order. Of this capitalized amount, $288.2 million, $0.4 million, and $22.9 million is capitalized as satellites and other property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, other current assets, and other assets, respectively, in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Interest costs of $9.6 million and $10.5 million were capitalized for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and $26.7 million and $20.7 million were capitalized for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively. Additionally, depreciation expense was $152.7 million and $154.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and $470.4 million and $463.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively. We have entered into launch contracts for the launch of both specified and unspecified future satellites. Each of these launch contracts 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) Satellite Launches Galaxy 30, the first satellite in Intelsat’s Galaxy fleet refresh plan, was successfully launched on August 15, 2020. Galaxy 30 will replace Galaxy 14 at 125ºW serving media customers in the North America region. Galaxy 30 is the first four-frequency Intelsat satellite with C-, Ku-, Ka- and L-band capabilities. In addition, Galaxy 30 will offer broadband, mobility and network services to mobile network, enterprise and government customers in the North America region. The satellite will also play an important role in the Company’s U.S. C-band spectrum transition plan, and is expected to enter into service in early 2021. Intelsat 39 was successfully launched on August 6, 2019. Intelsat 39 replaced Intelsat 902 at the 62ºE location and delivers connectivity services in both the C- and Ku-bands to mobile network operators, enterprises and government customers, as well as aeronautical and maritime mobility service providers operating in the Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions. Intelsat 39 entered into service in October 2019. (c) Significant Anomalies In April 2019, the Intelsat 29e satellite (in service since 2016) experienced an anomaly that resulted in a total loss of the satellite. In accordance with our existing satellite anomaly contingency plans, we restored service for most Intelsat 29e customers on other satellites in our network, as well as on third-party satellites. We recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $381.6 million in the second quarter of 2019, of which $377.9 million related to the write off of the carrying value of the satellite and associated deferred performance incentive obligations and $3.7 million related to prepaid regulatory fees. A Failure Review Board comprised of the satellite’s manufacturer, Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc., the Company and external independent experts was convened to complete a comprehensive analysis of the cause of the anomaly. The board concluded that the anomaly was caused by either a harness flaw in conjunction with an electrostatic discharge event related to solar weather activity or the impact of a micrometeoroid. During the second quarter of 2020, the Company determined it unlikely that it will be able to utilize certain satellite and launch vehicle deposits prior to their respective expiration dates. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $34.0 million related to the impairment of the carrying values of the deposits, which is included within impairment of non-amortizable intangible and other assets in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Investments	Investments We have an ownership interest in two entities that meet the criteria of a variable interest entity (“VIE”): Horizons Satellite Holdings LLC (“Horizons Holdings”) and Horizons-3 Satellite LLC (“Horizons 3”), which are discussed in further detail below, including our analyses of the primary beneficiary determination as required under ASC 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”). We also own noncontrolling investments in equity securities and loan receivables as discussed further below. (a) Horizons Holdings Horizons Holdings is a joint venture with JSAT International, Inc. (“JSAT”) that consists of two investments: Horizons-1 Satellite LLC and Horizons-2 Satellite LLC. 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 borrowing was subsequently repaid. We provide certain services to the joint venture and in return utilize capacity from the joint venture. We have determined that this joint venture meets the criteria of a VIE under 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 ASC 810, as the primary beneficiary, we consolidate Horizons Holdings within our condensed consolidated financial statements. Total assets of Horizons Holdings were $22.2 million and $16.8 million as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively. Total liabilities were nominal as of December 31, 2019 and $1.1 million as of September 30, 2020. We have a revenue sharing agreement with JSAT related to services sold on the Horizons 1 and Horizons 2 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. 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 $1.6 million and $2.1 million as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively. (b) Horizons-3 Satellite LLC On November 4, 2015, we entered into an additional joint venture agreement with JSAT. The joint venture, Horizons 3, was formed for the purpose of developing, launching, managing, operating and owning a high-performance satellite located at the 169ºE orbital location. Horizons 3, which is 50% owned by each of Intelsat and JSAT, was set up with joint sharing of management authority and equal rights to profits and revenues from the joint venture. Similar to Horizons Holdings, we have a revenue sharing agreement with JSAT related to services sold on the Horizons 3e satellite. In addition, we are responsible for billing and collection for such services, and we remit 50% of the revenue, less applicable fees and commissions, to JSAT. Amounts payable to JSAT related to the revenue sharing agreement, net of applicable fees and commissions, from the Horizons 3e satellite were $3.3 million and $4.5 million as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively. We have determined that this joint venture meets the criteria of a VIE under ASC 810; however, we have concluded that we are not the primary beneficiary and therefore do not consolidate Horizons 3. The assessment considered both quantitative and qualitative factors, including an analysis of voting power and other means of control of the joint venture, as well as each owner’s exposure to risk of loss or gain. Because we and JSAT equally share control over the operations of the joint venture and also equally share exposure to risk of losses or gains, we concluded that we are not the primary beneficiary of Horizons 3. Our investment, included within other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets, is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The investment balance, which is equivalent to our maximum exposure to loss, was $110.2 million and $103.8 million as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively. The investment balance exceeded our equity in the net assets of Horizons 3 by $11.6 million and $11.1 million as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively. This basis difference represents the capitalized interest that we incurred in relation to financing our investment and we recognize it as a reduction of our equity in earnings of Horizons 3 on a straight-line basis over the life of the satellite. We recognized a nominal amount of equity in earnings of Horizons 3 in other income (expense), net for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020. In connection with our investment in Horizons 3, we entered into a capital contribution and subscription agreement, which requires us to fund our 50% share of amounts due thereunder in order to maintain our 50% interest in the joint venture. Pursuant to this agreement, we made contributions of $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and $2.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. We received distributions of $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and $9.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The Company utilizes the cumulative earnings approach to determine whether distributions received from equity method investees are returns on investment or returns of investment. In addition, our indirect subsidiary that holds our investment in Horizons 3 has entered into a security and pledge agreement with Horizons 3, pursuant to which it has granted a security interest in its membership interest in Horizons 3. Further, our indirect subsidiary has granted a security interest to Horizons 3 in its customer capacity contracts and its ownership interest in its wholly-owned subsidiary that holds the FCC license required for the joint venture’s operations. The Horizons 3e satellite entered into service in January 2019. The Company purchases satellite capacity and related services from the Horizons 3 joint venture, and then sells that capacity to its customers. We incurred direct costs of revenue related to these purchases of $5.6 million and $4.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and $14.8 million and $14.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively. The Company also sells managed ground network services to the Horizons 3 joint venture and provides program management services for a fee. We recorded an offset to direct costs of revenue related to the provision of these services of $1.8 million and $1.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and $3.9 million and $5.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively. On the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of both December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, $0.5 million due from Horizons 3 was included in receivables and $1.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of amounts due to Horizons 3 were included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. (c) Investments in Equity Securities The Company holds noncontrolling equity investments in seven separate privately held companies, including investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values and common stock warrants. In accordance with ASC 321, Investments—Equity Securities , we use the measurement alternative to measure the fair value of our investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values. Accordingly, these investments are measured at cost, less any impairment, and are adjusted for changes in fair value resulting from observable transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. We recorded impairment charges of $5.0 million and $34.1 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, and $0.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, with no amounts being recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2020. We recognized an increase in fair value relating to investments of $1.7 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, with no comparative amounts in 2020. These investments are recorded in other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets and had a total carrying value of $27.2 million and $31.9 million as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively. We measure our stock warrants at fair value (see Note 6—Fair Value Measurements and Note 12—Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities for additional information). The warrants are recorded in other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets and had a cumulative fair value of $3.2 million as of both December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020. (d) Loan Receivables The Company has loan receivables from three privately held companies that it is holding for long-term investment. These loan receivables are reported at amortized cost, net of the allowance for credit losses. Amortized cost is the outstanding principal, adjusted for unamortized discounts and deferred transaction costs. The Company recognizes interest income on loan receivables using the effective-interest method applied on a loan-by-loan basis. Direct costs associated with originating loans are offset against any related fees received and the balance, along with any premium or discount, is deferred and amortized as an adjustment to interest income over the term of the related loan receivable using the effective interest method. Loan receivables are recorded in other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets at an amortized cost basis, net of allowance for credit losses, of $70.4 million and $68.8 million as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively. These amounts were net of an allowance for credit losses of $4.6 million, unamortized discount of $3.0 million and $1.3 million, and unamortized deferred transaction costs of $1.0 million and $0.4 million as of the respective periods. As of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively, $1.5 million and $2.9 million of accrued interest related to our loan receivables was recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. We recognized interest income related to our loan receivables of $1.0 million and $2.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, with no comparative amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. A loan is determined to be impaired and placed on non-accrual status when, in management’s judgment based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the applicable loan agreement. We recognized impairment losses of $0.6 million related to loan receivables during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, with no comparable amounts for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. The fair value of loan receivables is evaluated on a loan-by-loan basis, and is determined based on assessments of discounted cash flows that are considered probable of collection. We consider these inputs to be Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820. The cumulative fair value of our loan receivables as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020 was $69.3 million and $71.3 million, respectively.

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets We account for goodwill and other non-amortizable intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other , 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. During the first quarter of 2020, the price of our common shares and trading values of our debt securities experienced sustained reductions. We also witnessed certain declines in financial performance as compared to previously prepared internal budget and forecast projections. Among the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic were a reduction of revenue and a decreased likelihood of collection from certain mobility customers. Based on our examination of these and other qualitative factors, we concluded that further testing of goodwill and other non-amortizable and amortizable intangible assets was required. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit and other intangible assets often involves the use of estimates and assumptions that require significant judgment, and that could have a substantial impact on whether or not an impairment charge is recognized and the magnitude of any such charge. Estimates of fair value are primarily determined using discounted cash flows and market transactions. These estimates involve making significant estimates and assumptions, including projected future cash flows (including timing), discount rates reflecting the risks inherent in future cash flows, perpetual growth rates, and the determination of appropriate market comparisons. (a) Goodwill For the analysis of goodwill in the first quarter of 2020, we applied ASU 2017-04, which is further described in Note 1 — General. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss shall be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. After recognizing the impairment loss, the loss establishes a new corresponding basis in the goodwill. Subsequent reversals of goodwill impairment losses are not permitted under applicable accounting standards. Intelsat has only one reporting unit for purposes of the analysis of goodwill, and accordingly, the analysis is undertaken at the enterprise level. We determined the estimated fair value of our reporting unit using a discounted cash flow analysis, along with independent source data related to comparative market multiples and, when available, recent transactions, each of which is considered a Level 3 input within the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820. The discounted cash flows were derived from a five-year projection of cash flows plus a residual value, with the resulting projected cash flows discounted at an appropriate weighted average cost of capital. In estimating the undiscounted cash flows, we primarily used our internally prepared budgets and forecast information. The key assumptions included in our model were projected growth rates, cost of capital, effective tax rates, and industry and economic trends, along with the C-band accelerated clearing incentive payments expected to be received subject to the achievement of certain milestones and the discount rate applied to those cash flows. A change in estimated future cash flows or other assumptions could change our estimated fair values and result in future impairments. The conclusion of our analysis was that the fair value of our reporting unit was greater than its carrying value, resulting in no impairment of goodwill. The carrying amounts of goodwill consisted of the following (in thousands): As of As of Goodwill $ 6,780,827 $ 6,780,827 Accumulated impairment losses (4,160,200) (4,160,200) Net carrying amount $ 2,620,627 $ 2,620,627 (b) Orbital Locations, Trade Name and Other 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 International Telecommunication Union, a sub-organization of the United Nations. We will continue to have rights to operate satellites at our orbital locations so long as we maintain our authorizations to do so. 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 be adapted 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 by using the build-up method to determine cash flows for the income approach, with the resulting projected cash flows discounted at an appropriate weighted average cost of capital. Under the build-up approach, the amount a reasonable investor would be willing to pay for the right to operate a satellite business using orbital locations is calculated by first estimating the cash flows that typical market participants might assume could be available from the right to operate satellites using the subject location in a similar market. It is assumed that rather than acquiring such a business as a going concern, the buyer would hypothetically start with the right to operate satellites at orbital locations and build a new business with similar attributes from the beginning. Thus, the buyer is assumed to incur the start-up costs and losses typically associated with the going concern value and pay for all other tangible and intangible assets. The key assumptions used in estimating the fair values of our rights to operate at our orbital locations included the following: (i) market penetration leading to revenue growth, (ii) profit margin, (iii) duration and profile of the build-up period, (iv) estimated start-up costs and losses incurred during the build-up period and (v) weighted average cost of capital. We completed our analysis of the estimated fair value of our rights to operate at certain orbital locations in connection with the analysis of goodwill described above in the first quarter of 2020 and concluded that the fair value was greater than the carrying value, resulting in 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, an excess earnings analysis to determine aggregate intangible asset earnings, and other qualitative factors, each of which is considered a Level 3 input within the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820. The key assumptions used in our model to estimate the fair value of the Intelsat trade name included forecasted revenues, the royalty rate, the tax rate and the discount rate. We completed our analysis of the estimated fair value of the Intelsat trade name in connection with the analysis of goodwill described above in the first quarter of 2020 and it resulted in an impairment of our trade name intangible asset of $12.2 million, which is included within impairment of non-amortizable intangible and other assets in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The carrying amounts of acquired intangible assets not subject to amortization consisted of the following (in thousands): As of As of Orbital locations $ 2,387,700 $ 2,387,700 Trade name 65,200 53,000 Total non-amortizable intangible assets $ 2,452,900 $ 2,440,700 Other Intangible Assets . The Company evaluated acquired intangible assets subject to amortization for potential impairment using internal projections of undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposal of the assets. The key assumptions included in our model were projected growth rates, cost of capital, effective tax rates, and industry and economic trends. A change in estimated future cash flows or other assumptions could change our estimated fair values and result in future impairments. The conclusion of our analysis was that the undiscounted cash flows of the asset group were greater than its carrying value, resulting in no impairment. The carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of acquired intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following (in thousands): As of December 31, 2019 As of September 30, 2020 Gross Carrying Accumulated Net Carrying Gross Carrying Accumulated Net Carrying Backlog and other $ 743,760 $ (713,205) $ 30,555 $ 743,760 $ (720,292) $ 23,468 Customer relationships 534,030 (287,833) 246,197 534,030 (304,073) 229,957 Total $ 1,277,790 $ (1,001,038) $ 276,752 $ 1,277,790 $ (1,024,365) $ 253,425

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt As discussed in Note 2—Chapter 11 Proceedings, Ability to Continue as a Going Concern and Other Related Matters, the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases constituted an event of default that accelerated substantially all of our obligations under the documents governing the prepetition existing indebtedness of Intelsat S.A., Intelsat Luxembourg, Intelsat Connect and Intelsat Jackson. As such, we have reclassified all such debt obligations, other than debt subject to compromise, to current portion of long-term debt on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2020. While the Chapter 11 Cases are pending, the Debtors do not anticipate making interest payments due under their respective unsecured debt instruments; however, the Debtors expect to make monthly interest payments on their senior secured debt instruments pursuant to the adequate protection requirements under the DIP Order. The carrying values and fair values of our notes payable and debt were as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2019 As of September 30, 2020 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Intelsat S.A.: 4.5% Convertible Senior Notes due June 2025 (1) $ 402,500 $ 265,231 $ 402,500 $ 128,800 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and discount on 4.5% Convertible Senior Notes (133,310) — — — Total Intelsat S.A. obligations 269,190 265,231 402,500 128,800 Intelsat Luxembourg: 7.75% Senior Notes due June 2021 (1) 421,219 336,975 421,219 14,743 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs on 7.75% Senior Notes (1,257) — — — 8.125% Senior Notes due June 2023 (1) 1,000,000 590,000 1,000,000 35,000 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs on 8.125% Senior Notes (5,838) — — — 12.5% Senior Notes due November 2024 (1) 403,350 277,152 403,350 50,536 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and discount on 12.5% Senior Notes (184,344) — — — Total Intelsat Luxembourg obligations 1,633,130 1,204,127 1,824,569 100,279 Intelsat Connect Finance: 9.5% Senior Notes due February 2023 (1) 1,250,000 865,625 1,250,000 375,000 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and discount on 9.5% Senior Notes (27,741) — — — Total Intelsat Connect Finance obligations 1,222,259 865,625 1,250,000 375,000 Intelsat Jackson: 9.5% Senior Secured Notes due September 2022 490,000 562,275 490,000 531,650 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and discount on 9.5% Senior Secured Notes (11,204) — (8,459) — 8% Senior Secured Notes due February 2024 1,349,678 1,380,046 1,349,678 1,368,236 As of December 31, 2019 As of September 30, 2020 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and premium on 8% Senior Secured Notes (3,903) — (3,286) — 5.5% Senior Notes due August 2023 (1) 1,985,000 1,687,250 1,985,000 1,230,700 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs on 5.5% Senior Notes (8,723) — — — 9.75% Senior Notes due July 2025 (1) 1,885,000 1,729,488 1,885,000 1,232,319 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs on 9.75% Senior Notes (20,487) — — — 8.5% Senior Notes due October 2024 (1) 2,950,000 2,669,750 2,950,000 1,902,750 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and premium on 8.5% Senior Notes (12,916) — — — Senior Secured Credit Facilities due November 2023 2,000,000 1,985,000 2,000,000 1,980,000 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and discount on Senior Secured Credit Facilities (22,149) — (18,290) — Senior Secured Credit Facilities due January 2024 395,000 398,950 395,000 391,050 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and discount on Senior Secured Credit Facilities (1,600) — (1,331) — 6.625% Senior Secured Credit Facilities due January 2024 700,000 712,250 700,000 707,000 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and discount on Senior Secured Credit Facilities (2,832) — (2,359) — Superpriority Secured DIP Credit Facilities due July 2021 — — 500,000 505,625 Total Intelsat Jackson obligations 11,670,864 11,125,009 12,220,953 9,849,330 Eliminations: 8.125% Senior Notes of Intelsat Luxembourg due June 2023 owned by Intelsat Jackson (1) (111,663) (65,881) (111,663) (3,908) Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs on 8.125% Senior Notes 652 — — — 12.5% Senior Notes of Intelsat Luxembourg due November 2024 owned by Intelsat Connect, Intelsat Jackson and Intelsat Envision (1) (403,245) (277,080) (403,245) (50,522) Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and discount on 12.5% Senior Notes 184,296 — — — Total eliminations: (329,960) (342,961) (514,908) (54,430) Total Intelsat S.A. debt 14,465,483 13,117,031 15,183,114 10,398,979 Less: current portion of long-term debt — — 5,400,953 5,483,561 Less: debt included in liabilities subject to compromise — — 9,782,161 4,915,418 Total Intelsat S.A. long-term debt $ 14,465,483 $ 13,117,031 $ — $ — (1) In connection with the Chapter 11 Cases, these balances have been reclassified as liabilities subject to compromise in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2020. As of April 15, 2020, the Company ceased making principal and interest payments, and as of May 13, 2020 ceased accruing interest expense in relation to this long-term debt that was reclassified as liabilities subject to compromise. Further, $197.0 million of debt discount, premium and issuance costs related to these notes was included within reorganization items in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The fair value for publicly traded instruments is determined using quoted market prices, and the fair value for non-publicly traded instruments 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 under ASC 820, except for our senior secured credit facilities and our 2025 Convertible Notes, the inputs for which are classified as Level 2. Intelsat Jackson Superpriority Secured Debtor-in-Possession Term Loan Facility On June 17, 2020 (the “Closing Date”), the DIP Debtors and DIP Lenders entered into the DIP Credit Agreement, a non-amortizing multiple draw superpriority secured debtor-in-possession term loan facility, in an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion, on the terms and conditions set forth therein. See Note 2—Chapter 11 Proceedings, Ability to Continue as a Going Concern and Other Related Matters. Intelsat Jackson borrowed $500.0 million of term loans under the DIP Facility on the Closing Date. Under the DIP Facility, Intelsat Jackson may, at its sole discretion, make incremental draws of the lesser of $250.0 million and the remaining available commitments of the DIP Lenders. Drawn amounts under the DIP Facility bear interest at either (i) 4.50% per annum plus a base rate of the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus ½ of 1.00%, (b) the Prime Rate as in effect on such day and (c) the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR Rate”) for a one-month interest period on such day (or if such day is not a business day, the immediately preceding business day) plus 1.00% or (ii) 5.50% plus the LIBOR Rate. For purposes of the DIP Facility, the LIBOR Rate has an effective floor rate of 1.0%. Undrawn amounts under the DIP Facility shall be subject to a ticking fee of 3.6% of the amount of commitments of the DIP Lenders from the entry of the DIP Order until such commitments terminate, which ticking fee shall be payable on the last day of each fiscal quarter prior to the date such commitments terminate and on the date of such termination. If an event of default under the DIP Facility occurs, the overdue amounts under the DIP Facility would bear interest at an additional 2.0% per annum above the interest rate otherwise applicable. The proceeds of the DIP Facility may be used, among other things, to pay for (i) working capital needs of the DIP Debtors in the ordinary course of business, (ii) potential C-band relocation costs, (iii) investment and other general corporate purposes, and (iv) the costs and expenses of administering the Chapter 11 Cases. The maturity date of the DIP Facility is July 13, 2021, subject to certain extensions pursuant to the terms of the DIP Credit Agreement. The DIP Credit Agreement includes usual and customary negative covenants for debtor-in-possession loan agreements of this type, including covenants limiting the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, create liens on assets, make investments, loans or advances, engage in mergers, consolidations, sales of assets and acquisitions, pay dividends and distributions and make payments in respect of junior or prepetition indebtedness, in each case subject to customary exceptions for debtor-in-possession loan agreements of this type. The DIP Credit Agreement also includes certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants and events of default, including, but not limited to, payment defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, certain events under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and change of control. Certain bankruptcy-related events are also events of default, including, but not limited to, the dismissal by the Bankruptcy Court of any of the Chapter 11 Cases, the conversion of any of the Chapter 11 Cases to a case under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code and certain other events related to the impairment of the DIP Lenders’ rights or liens granted under the DIP Credit Agreement. On August 24, 2020, the DIP Debtors and DIP Lenders entered into DIP Amendment No. 1 to the DIP Credit Agreement, in connection with the Gogo Transaction (see Note 1—General— Gogo Inc. Transaction for additional information). DIP Amendment No. 1 was approved by the Bankruptcy Court on August 31, 2020. The foregoing descriptions of the DIP Credit Agreement and DIP Amendment No. 1 do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the DIP Credit Agreement and DIP Amendment No. 1, as applicable. Intelsat Jackson Senior Secured Credit Agreement and the Company and Certain of its Subsidiaries' Indentures The commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases constituted an immediate event of default under Intelsat Jackson’s secured credit agreement, dated as of January 12, 2011 (as amended, the “Intelsat Jackson Secured Credit Agreement”), as well as under the indentures governing certain of the Company and its subsidiaries’ senior secured notes and senior notes, resulting in the automatic and immediate acceleration of substantially all of our outstanding debt. Any efforts to enforce payment obligations related to the acceleration of our debt have been automatically stayed as a result of the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, and the creditors’ rights of enforcement are subject to the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. In addition, in April 2020, our LIBOR loans under the Intelsat Jackson Secured Credit Agreement were converted to Alternate Base Rate (“ABR”) loans. We expect to pay interest on the floating rate term loans under the Intelsat Jackson Secured Credit Agreement at the rate applicable to ABR loans.

Derivative Instruments and Hedg

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Interest Rate Cap Contracts As of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, we held interest rate cap contracts with an aggregate notional value of $2.4 billion that mature in February 2021. These interest rate cap contracts, which were entered into in 2017 and amended in 2018, are designed to mitigate our risk of interest rate increases on the floating rate portion of our senior secured credit facilities (see Note 11— Debt). The contracts have not been designated for hedge accounting treatment in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”), and the changes in fair value of these instruments, net of payments received, are recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations during the period of change. We received $9.5 million in settlement payments related to the interest rate cap contracts for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 with no comparable amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Preferred Stock Warrant and Common Stock Warrant During 2017, we were issued a warrant to purchase preferred shares of one of our investments. We concluded that the warrant is a free-standing derivative in accordance with ASC 815. As of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, the fair value of the preferred stock warrant was zero. During 2019, we were issued a warrant to purchase common shares of a separate investment. We concluded that the warrant is a free-standing derivative in accordance with ASC 815. The following table sets forth the fair value of our derivatives by category (in thousands): Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments Classification As of As of Common stock warrant Other assets $ 3,239 $ 3,239 Interest rate cap contracts Other assets 372 — Total derivatives $ 3,611 $ 3,239 The following table sets forth the effect of the derivative instruments in our condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands): Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments Classification Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended Interest rate cap contracts Loss included in interest expense, net $ (1,625) $ (23) $ (21,104) $ (372) Preferred stock warrant Loss included in other income (expense), net (247) — (4,100) — Total loss on derivative financial instruments $ (1,872) $ (23) $ (25,204) $ (372)

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)—Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2018-02”), which allows for an optional reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act"), which was signed into law on December 22, 2017. Consequently, the amendments eliminated the stranded tax effects resulting from the Act for those entities that elect the optional reclassification. ASU 2018-02 is effective for all entities for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We adopted ASU 2018-02 in the first quarter of 2019, which resulted in a reclassification of stranded tax effects of $16.2 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss to accumulated deficit. The Act includes a number of provisions, including the lowering of the U.S. corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, effective January 1, 2018. The Act limits our U.S. interest expense deductions to approximately 30 percent of EBITDA through December 31, 2021 and approximately 30 percent of earnings before net interest and taxes thereafter. The Act also introduced a new minimum tax, the Base Erosion Anti-Abuse Tax (“BEAT”). We are treating the BEAT as a period cost. Effective January 1, 2019, the Luxembourg corporate tax rate decreased from 26.01% to 24.94%. This resulted in a decrease in deferred tax assets and corresponding valuation allowance. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that will apply in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or paid. On July 2, 2018, we implemented a series of internal transactions and related steps that reorganized the ownership of certain assets among our subsidiaries (the “2018 Internal Reorganization”). The 2018 Internal Reorganization resulted in the majority of our operations being owned by a U.S.-based partnership, with certain of our wholly-owned Luxembourg and U.S. subsidiaries as partners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “FFCR Act”) was enacted, and on March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted. The FFCR Act and the CARES Act contain numerous income tax provisions, such as increasing the 30 percent adjusted taxable income threshold to 50 percent for taxable years beginning in 2019 and 2020 for purposes of determining allowable business interest expense deductions. The CARES Act repeals the 80 percent limitation for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2021 (enacted by the Act), and it further specifies that net operating losses arising in a taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2021, are allowed as a carryback to each of the five taxable years preceding the taxable year of such losses. Modifications to the tax rules for the carryback of net operating losses and business interest limitations resulted in a federal tax refund of approximately $11.4 million and $26.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. In addition, the CARES Act includes refundable payroll tax credits and deferral of employment side social security payments. As of September 30, 2020, Intelsat’s payroll deferral was approximately $3.4 million. The majority of our operations are located in taxable jurisdictions, including Luxembourg, the U.S. and the United Kingdom (“UK”). 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 generated in Luxembourg. The difference between tax expense (benefit) reported in the condensed 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 U.S. as a result of the final BEAT regulations and the UK, as well as withholding taxes on revenue earned in some of the foreign markets in which we operate, offset by the tax benefit resulting from the impacts of the CARES Act and a tax reserve established on certain tax benefits taken with respect the final BEAT regulations. As of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, our gross unrecognized tax benefits were $25.0 million and $42.4 million, respectively (including interest and penalties), of which $21.5 million and $38.5 million, respectively, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. As of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, we had recorded reserves for interest and penalties in the amount of $0.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively. We continue to recognize interest and, to the extent applicable, penalties with respect to the unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Since December 31, 2019, the change in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits has consisted of an increase of $7.0 million related to current tax positions, an increase of $13.0 million related to prior tax positions, and a decrease of $2.5 million related to the expiration of a statute of limitations on the assessment of certain taxes. We operate in various taxable jurisdictions throughout the world, and our tax returns are subject to audit and review from time to time. We consider Luxembourg, the U.S., the UK and Brazil to be our significant tax jurisdictions. Our subsidiaries in these jurisdictions are subject to income tax examination for periods after December 31, 2014. 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. During 2019, the Company made payments to the government of India in the amount of $7.0 million with respect to ongoing administrative proceedings. We believe it is more likely than not that the positions which we have presented in these matters will result in a favorable outcome for the Company. As a result, the payments have been recorded in taxes receivable. Effective January 31, 2020, the UK formally exited the European Union ("EU"). As a result of the withdrawal, existing tax reliefs and exemptions on intra-European transactions will likely cease to apply to transactions between UK entities and EU entities. In addition, transactions with non-EU countries, such as the U.S., may also be affected. As of September 30, 2020, all relevant tax laws and treaties remained unchanged and the tax consequences were unknown. Therefore, we have not recognized any impacts of the withdrawal in the income tax provision as of September 30, 2020. We will recognize any impacts to the tax provision when changes in tax laws or treaties between the UK and the EU or individual EU member states are enacted. On December 2, 2019, the U.S. Department of Treasury and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service released final regulations with respect to BEAT as enacted by the 2017 Tax Reform Act. These regulations represent the final version of proposed regulations which were released in December 2018. The BEAT is a minimum tax established by the Act that subjects certain payments made by U.S. corporations or subsidiaries to foreign related parties to a secondary federal income tax regime in the U.S. The final regulations clarify which taxpayers are subject to the BEAT and how the BEAT rules apply to certain payments and transactions. We have adopted the final BEAT regulations as of the release date. These regulations are effective for the Company as of its tax year ended December 31, 2018. A second set of final regulations was issued on September 1, 2020, addressing among other topics, the application of the BEAT to partnerships and the application of the effectively connected income exception to depreciable or amortizable property contributed to a U.S. partnership by a foreign partner. Similar to the first set of final regulations issued in December 2019, the second set of final regulations are effective for the Company as of its tax year ended December 31, 2018. As of September 30, 2020, the Company recognized the BEAT tax impact associated with the second set of final regulations related to its tax years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, and as of September 30, 2020.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies On May 13, 2020, Intelsat S.A. and certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under title 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court. As a result of such bankruptcy filings, substantially all proceedings pending against the Debtors have been stayed and prepetition liabilities are subject to compromise. See Note 2—Chapter 11 Proceedings, Ability to Continue as a Going Concern and Other Related Matters. In the absence of the automatic stay due to the Chapter 11 Cases, we are subject to litigation in the ordinary course of business. Other than as disclosed below, management does not believe that the resolution of any of those pending proceedings would have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. SES Claim

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions (a) Shareholders’ Agreements Certain shareholders of Intelsat S.A. entered into a shareholders’ agreement in December 2018, which provides, among other things, specific rights to and limitations upon the holders of Intelsat S.A.’s share capital with respect to shares held by such holders. (b) Governance Agreement In December 2018, the Company entered into a governance agreement with its shareholder affiliated with Serafina S.A. The agreement contains provisions relating to the composition of the Company’s board of directors and certain other matters. (c) 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. (d) Horizons Holdings We have a 50% ownership interest in Horizons Holdings as a result of a joint venture with JSAT (see Note 9(a)—Investments—Horizons Holdings). (e) Horizons-3 Satellite LLC We have a 50% ownership interest in Horizons 3 as a result of a joint venture with JSAT (see Note 9(b)—Investments—Horizons-3 Satellite LLC).

Condensed Combined Debtors' Fin

Condensed Combined Debtors' Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Condensed Combined Debtors' Financial Information	Condensed Combined Debtors' Financial Information The following presents our Debtors' condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2020, statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Consolidating adjustments include eliminations of the following: • investments in subsidiaries; • intercompany accounts; • intercompany sales and expenses; and • intercompany equity balances. Intercompany balances with non-Debtor affiliates have not been eliminated. On the Debtors’ condensed combined balance sheet, these primarily consist of net intercompany trade receivables generated under our Master Intercompany Service Agreement (“MISA”) DEBTORS' UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET (in thousands, except per share amounts) September 30, 2020 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 880,185 Restricted cash 19,091 Receivables, net of allowance of $24,884 146,096 Contract assets 30,387 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 100,815 Intercompany receivables 187,613 Total current assets 1,364,187 Satellites and other property and equipment, net 4,631,470 Goodwill 2,620,627 Non-amortizable intangible assets 2,440,700 Amortizable intangible assets, net 253,425 Contract assets, net of current portion 40,148 Investment in affiliates 168,251 Other assets 411,348 Total assets $ 11,930,156 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 163,538 Taxes payable 8,775 Employee related liabilities 31,047 Accrued interest payable 13,837 Current portion of long-term debt 5,400,953 Contract liabilities 125,415 Deferred satellite performance incentives 42,337 Other current liabilities 53,075 Total current liabilities 5,838,977 Contract liabilities, net of current portion 1,042,850 Deferred satellite performance incentives, net of current portion 146,559 Deferred income taxes 63,646 Accrued retirement benefits, net of current portion 113,258 Other long-term liabilities 186,771 Liabilities subject to compromise 10,170,344 Shareholders’ deficit: Common shares, nominal value $0.01 per share 1,421 Paid-in capital 2,572,324 Accumulated deficit (8,144,803) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (61,191) Total shareholders’ deficit (5,632,249) Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit $ 11,930,156 DEBTORS' UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Revenue $ 473,556 $ 1,314,307 Operating expenses: Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) 69,189 200,538 Selling, general and administrative 57,659 181,931 Cost from affiliates 9,785 32,047 Depreciation and amortization 157,442 472,610 Impairment of non-amortizable intangible and other assets — 46,243 Total operating expenses 294,075 933,369 Income from operations 179,481 380,938 Interest expense, net 137,444 677,124 Equity in loss of affiliates (40,791) (41,260) Other income, net 2,973 15,007 Reorganization items (36,367) (335,059) Loss before income taxes (32,148) (657,498) Benefit from income taxes (16,217) (17,441) Net loss $ (15,931) $ (640,057) DEBTORS' UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) Nine Months Ended Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss $ (640,057) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 472,610 Provision for doubtful accounts 34,465 Foreign currency transaction gain (801) Impairment of non-amortizable intangible and other assets 46,243 Share-based compensation 9,031 Deferred income taxes 5,470 Amortization of discount, premium, issuance costs and related costs 19,689 Non-cash reorganization items 196,974 Debtor-in-possession financing fees 52,182 Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service credits for retirement benefits 1,976 Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments 372 Unrealized losses on investments and loans held-for-investment 721 Equity in loss of affiliates 41,260 Other non-cash items (7) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Receivables 12,841 Intercompany receivables (105,048) Prepaid expenses, contract and other assets (81,814) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 69,812 Accrued interest payable 48,713 Contract liabilities (66,304) Accrued retirement benefits (12,253) Other long-term liabilities 2,801 Net cash provided by operating activities 108,876 Cash flows from investing activities: Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest) (414,610) Dividends from affiliates 28,960 Proceeds from loans held-for-investment 973 Capital contribution to affiliates (9,005) Other proceeds from satellites 5,625 Net cash used in investing activities (388,057) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from debtor-in-possession financing 500,000 Debtor-in-possession financing fees (52,182) Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives (25,428) Net cash provided by financing activities 422,390 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 754 Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 143,963 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period 755,313 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period $ 899,276 Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated Debtors' balance sheet to the total sum of these same amounts shown on the condensed consolidated Debtors' statement of cash flows: Cash and cash equivalents $ 880,185 Restricted cash 19,091 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the condensed consolidated Debtors' statement of cash flows $ 899,276

General (Policies)

General (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Intelsat S.A. and its subsidiaries (“Intelsat S.A.,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) have not been audited, but are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. References to U.S. GAAP issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of these financial statements. The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the full year or for any future period. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of these condensed consolidated 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.
Bankruptcy Accounting	Bankruptcy Accounting Our condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared as if we are a going concern and reflect the application of ASC 852, Reorganizations (“ASC 852”). ASC 852 requires the financial statements, for periods subsequent to the commencement of the Chapter 11 proceedings, to distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Accordingly, we classify liabilities and obligations whose treatment and satisfaction are dependent on the outcome of the reorganization under the Chapter 11 proceedings as liabilities subject to compromise on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. In addition, we classify all income, expenses, gains or losses that are incurred or realized as a result of the Chapter 11 proceedings as reorganization items in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. See Note 2 — Chapter 11 Proceedings, Ability to Continue as a Going Concern and Other Related Matters.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted CashCash 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 fair value. Restricted cash represents legally restricted amounts being held as a compensating balance for certain outstanding letters of credit.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which changes how companies measure and recognize credit impairment for any financial assets. The standard requires companies to immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of the financial assets that are within the scope of the standard. We adopted ASU 2016-13 and its amendments in the first quarter of 2020, on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 and its amendments increased our reserve for credit losses by $0.9 million as of January 1, 2020. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”), which is intended to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill. The amendments in ASU 2017-04 modify the concept of impairment from the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value to the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. An entity will no longer determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities, as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. We adopted ASU 2017-04 in the first quarter of 2020, on a prospective basis. As a result, we will measure impairment using the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the reporting unit, if required. In the first quarter of 2020, we conducted a goodwill impairment analysis and determined the fair value of our reporting unit to be greater than its carrying value, resulting in no impairment of goodwill. See Note 10 — Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for further information. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)—Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”), as part of its disclosure framework project to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to financial statements. Changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty were applied prospectively for only the most recent interim period presented. All other amendments were applied retrospectively for all periods presented. ASU 2018-13 and its amendments were adopted by the Company in the first quarter of 2020. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Defined Benefit Plans—General (Subtopic 715-20)—Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans (“ASU 2018-14”), as part of its disclosure framework project to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to financial statements. ASU 2018-14 modifies and clarifies disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. The amendments remove certain disclosure requirements and require additional disclosures. ASU 2018-14 will be effective for the Company for annual periods in fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020, on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. We are in the process of evaluating the impact that ASU 2018-14 will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and associated disclosures. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting For Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”). The standard removes certain exceptions for recognizing deferred taxes for investments, performing intra-period allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. It also adds guidance to reduce complexity in certain areas, including recognizing deferred taxes for tax goodwill and allocating taxes to members of a consolidated group. ASU 2019-12 will be effective for the Company for annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. We are in the process of evaluating the impact that ASU 2019-12 will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and associated disclosures.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition 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. On-network services are comprised primarily of services delivered on our owned network infrastructure, as well as commitments for third-party capacity, generally long-term in nature, that we integrate and market as part of our owned infrastructure. In the case of third-party services in support of government applications, the commitments for third-party capacity are shorter and matched to the government contracting period, and thus remain classified as off-network services. Off-network services can include transponder services and other satellite-based transmission services, such as mobile satellite services (“MSS”), which are sourced from other operators, often in frequencies not available on our network. Under the category Off-Network and Other Revenues, we also include revenues from consulting and other services. For each service type, the price per unit in our contracts is generally fixed for each defined time period. While the number of units or price per unit in our multi-year contracts may be different by year or another time period, the number of units and price per unit are fixed for each defined time period and the total contract price is fixed. To determine the proper revenue recognition method for contracts, we evaluate whether two or more services should be combined and accounted for as a single performance obligation. Our specific revenue recognition policies are as follows: Satellite Utilization Charges The Company’s contracts for satellite utilization services often contain multiple service orders for the provision of capacity on or over different beams, satellites, frequencies, geographies or time periods. Under each separate service order, the Company’s satellite services, comprised of transponder services, managed services, channel services, and occasional use managed services, are delivered in a series of time periods that are distinct from each other and have the same pattern of transfer to the customer. In each period, the Company’s obligation is to make those services available to the customer. Throughout each service period, the Company provides services that are able to be used continuously, and the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Company. We believe that, given that our services are stand-ready obligations that are available continuously, the passage of time most faithfully reflects our satisfaction of the performance obligation. We also have certain obligations, including providing spare or substitute capacity if available, in the event of satellite service failure under certain long-term agreements. While we are generally not obligated to refund satellite utilization payments previously made, credits may be granted for sustained service outages in certain limited circumstances. Similar to satellite utilization charges, we have determined that the customer simultaneously receives and consumes benefits provided by the Company for satellite related consulting and technical services, tracking, telemetry and commanding services (“TT&C”) and in-orbit backup services, as detailed below. Therefore, similar to satellite utilization charges, we believe that the passage of time most faithfully reflects our satisfaction of the performance obligation for these services: 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 performance obligations, such as transfer orbit support services or training programs over the service period. 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 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 backup services 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 principal versus agent considerations. We occasionally sell products or services individually or in some combination to our customers. When products or services are sold together, we allocate revenue for each performance obligation based on each obligation’s relative selling price. In these arrangements, revenue for products is recognized when the transfer of control passes to the customer, while service revenue is recognized over the service term. Contract Assets Contract assets include unbilled amounts typically resulting from sales under our long-term contracts when the total contract value is recognized on a straight-line basis and the revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer. Contract Liabilities Contract liabilities consist of advance payments and collections in excess of revenue recognized and deferred revenue. Our contracts at times contain prepayment terms that range from one month to one year in advance of providing the service. As a practical expedient, we do not need to adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if we expect, at contract inception, that the period of time between when the Company transfers a promised good or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that good or service will be one year or less. For a small subset of contracts with advance payments that contain prepayment terms greater than one year and up to fifteen years, we assess whether a significant financing component exists by considering the difference between the amount of promised consideration and the cash selling price of the promised services. The prepayment amount is generally based on a standard methodology that discounts the total of the standard monthly charges over the service term to determine the prepayment amount, resulting in a difference between the amount of promised consideration and the cash selling price of the promised services. The Company considers the timing difference between payment and the promised transfer of services, combined with the Company’s incremental borrowing rates, to determine whether a significant financing component exists. When a significant financing component exists, the amount of revenue recognized exceeds the amount of cash received from the customer. After receiving cash from the customer but prior to the Company providing services, the Company records additional contract liabilities as well as offsetting interest expense to reflect the upfront financing the Company is effectively receiving from the customer. Once the Company begins providing services, additional interest expense is recorded each period using the effective interest method, as well as corresponding additional revenue, which is recognized ratably over the service period. For the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, we recognized revenue of $54.8 million and $47.8 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, we recognized revenue of $200.3 million and $185.5 million, respectively, that were included in the contract liability balances as of January 1, 2019 and 2020, respectively. In addition, the total amount of consideration included in contract assets as of January 1, 2019 and 2020 that became unconditional for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020 was $9.1 million and $15.1 million, respectively. Assets Recognized from the Costs to Obtain a Customer Contract We recognize an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. We have determined that our sales incentive program meets the requirements to be capitalized due to the incremental nature of the costs and the expectation that the Company will recover such costs. The assets recognized from the costs to obtain a customer contract are amortized over a period that is consistent with the transfer to the customer of the services to which the asset relates. We capitalized $1.7 million and $1.5 million for our sales incentive program and amortized $1.2 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and we capitalized $5.7 million and $3.9 million for our sales incentive program and amortized $4.7 million and $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively. As of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, capitalized costs relating to our sales incentive program were $9.4 million and $9.5 million, respectively, which were included within other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Contract Modifications Contracts are often modified to account for changes in contract specifications or requirements. We consider contract modifications to exist when the modification either creates new rights or obligations or changes the existing enforceable rights and obligations of either party. Most of our contract modifications are for goods and services that are distinct from the existing contract, as they consist of additional months of service priced at the Company’s standalone selling prices of the additional services and are therefore treated as separate contracts. For contract modifications that do not result in additional distinct goods or services, the effect of a contract modification on the transaction price and our measure of progress for the performance obligation to which it relates, is recognized as an adjustment to revenue. Significant Judgments We occasionally enter into certain contracts in which the customer makes payments in advance of services to be delivered, which may be years in the future. The reasons for the prepayments in these contracts vary, but generally can be either for the customer’s benefit or for the Company’s benefit (such as the ability to use the cash received from the customer to pay for the construction of a satellite asset). The determination of whether contracts with a prepayment provision contain a significant financing component requires judgment. The Company makes this determination based on various factors, including the differences between the amount of promised consideration and cash selling prices, the length of time between payment and the transfer of services and prevailing interest rates in the market. While most satellite utilization contracts contain multiple performance obligations for each transponder service on different satellites, the service period for the different satellite utilization performance obligations is generally the same time period. In the event that the time period for multiple performance obligations is not the same, we allocate the total transaction price to each performance obligation in an amount based on the estimated relative standalone selling price of the promised good or service underlying such performance obligation. Judgment is required to determine the standalone selling price for each distinct performance obligation. In order to estimate standalone selling prices, we use an adjusted market assessment approach which involves an evaluation of the market and an estimate of the price that our customers are willing to pay, or an expected cost plus a margin approach. When more than one party is involved in providing goods or services to a customer, we generally recognize the transaction on a gross basis due to the level of control that we have prior to the transfer of the good or service. These arrangements include instances where we procure equipment from vendors and sell to third-party customers, when we enter into revenue sharing arrangements with other parties and when we purchase capacity for voice, data and video services provided by third-party commercial satellite operators for which the desired frequency type or geographic coverage is not available on our network. Our third-party capacity arrangements (off-network) are more significant and, in determining whether we are the principal or the agent in these arrangements, we consider whether or not we control the service before it is transferred to the customer. In this determination, we consider the definition of control as set forth in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), in ASC 606-10-25-25. When we purchase satellite transponder capacity from a third party, we have the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from the purchased capacity. We obtain the right to the service to be performed by the third party, which gives the Company the ability to direct that party to provide the service to the customer on the Company’s behalf. No other third party can direct the use of or obtain any benefits from the capacity. We also considered the factors in ASC 606-10-55-39 in the Company’s determination of control. In the vast majority of cases, when we resell capacity to third party customers, we are primarily responsible for the fulfillment of the services and acceptability of the service. Additionally, the Company has full discretion in establishing the pricing for transponder services with the customer and assumes the credit risk associated with capacity purchased from the third party. In the event the service is not acceptable to the customer, we are required to identify an alternative solution. Based on these considerations, we have concluded that we are the principal in the transaction for these arrangements. When these factors are not met, the Company recognizes revenue for third-party capacity arrangements on a net basis. Judgment is required in determining whether we are the principal or the agent in transactions involving third parties. Remaining Performance Obligations Our remaining performance obligation is our expected future revenue under our existing customer contracts and includes both cancelable and non-cancelable contracts. Our remaining performance obligation was approximately $6.1 billion as of September 30, 2020, approximately 92% of which related to contracts that were non-cancelable and approximately 8% of which related to contracts that were cancelable subject to substantial termination fees. We assess the contract term of our cancelable contracts as the full stated term of the contract assuming each contract is not canceled since the termination penalty upon cancellation is substantive. As of September 30, 2020, the weighted average remaining customer contract life was approximately 4.0 years. Approximately 29%, 27%, and 44% of our total remaining performance obligation as of September 30, 2020 is expected to be recognized as revenue during 2020 and 2021, 2022 and 2023, and 2024 and thereafter, respectively. The amount included in the remaining performance obligation represents the full-service charge for the duration of the contract and does not include termination fees. The amount of the termination fees, which is not included in the remaining performance obligation amount, is generally calculated as a percentage of the remaining performance obligation associated with the contract. In certain cases of breach for non-payment or customer financial distress or bankruptcy, we may not be able to recover the full value of certain contracts or termination fees. Our remaining performance obligation includes 100% of the remaining performance obligation of our consolidated ownership interests, which is consistent with the accounting for our ownership interest in these entities. (b) 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. Our revenues are disaggregated by billing region, service type and customer set. 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 U.S.
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure ("ASC 820") defines fair value, establishes a market-based framework or hierarchy for measuring fair value and provides for certain required disclosures about fair value measurements. The guidance is applicable whenever another accounting pronouncement requires or permits assets and liabilities to be measured at fair value but does not require any new fair value measurements. 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.

General (Tables)

General (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within our condensed consolidated balance sheets to the total sum of these amounts reported in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands): As of As of Cash and cash equivalents $ 810,626 $ 1,001,000 Restricted cash 20,238 19,350 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 830,864 $ 1,020,350
Schedule of Restrictions on Cash and Cash Equivalents	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within our condensed consolidated balance sheets to the total sum of these amounts reported in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands): As of As of Cash and cash equivalents $ 810,626 $ 1,001,000 Restricted cash 20,238 19,350 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 830,864 $ 1,020,350

Chapter 11 Proceedings, Abili_2

Chapter 11 Proceedings, Ability to Continue as a Going Concern and Other Related Matters (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Reorganizations [Abstract]
Schedule of Liabilities Subject to Compromise	Liabilities subject to compromise consisted of the following (in thousands): As of Accounts payable $ 9,874 Debt subject to comprise 9,782,161 Accrued interest on debt subject to compromise 341,676 Other long-term liabilities subject to compromise 36,633 Total liabilities subject to compromise $ 10,170,344
Schedule of Reorganization Items	Reorganization items consisted of the following (in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Adjustment of debt discount, premium and issuance costs $ — $ 196,974 Debtor-in-possession financing fees — 52,182 Professional fees 36,262 85,233 Other reorganization costs 105 670 Total reorganization items $ 36,367 $ 335,059

Revenue (Tables)

Revenue (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Schedule of Geographic Distribution of Revenue	The following table disaggregates revenue by billing region (in thousands, except percentages): Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended North America $ 271,001 53 % $ 266,516 54 % $ 804,014 52 % $ 758,999 53 % Europe 60,708 12 % 54,082 11 % 186,497 12 % 160,866 11 % Latin America and Caribbean 56,702 11 % 52,474 11 % 183,045 12 % 157,956 11 % Africa and Middle East 61,080 12 % 60,349 12 % 185,186 12 % 181,151 13 % Asia-Pacific 57,167 11 % 56,028 11 % 185,772 12 % 171,331 12 % Total $ 506,658 $ 489,449 $ 1,544,514 $ 1,430,303
Schedule of Off-Network and On-Network Revenues	The following table disaggregates revenue by type of service (in thousands, except percentages): Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended On-Network Revenues Transponder services $ 364,312 72 % $ 353,758 72 % $ 1,111,182 72 % $ 1,028,692 72 % Managed services 93,080 18 % 69,438 14 % 277,616 18 % 226,749 16 % Channel 601 — % 280 — % 1,877 — % 1,096 — % Total on-network revenues 457,993 90 % 423,476 87 % 1,390,675 90 % 1,256,537 88 % Off-Network and Other Revenues Transponder, MSS and other off-network services 39,129 8 % 54,478 11 % 126,704 8 % 141,783 10 % Satellite-related services 9,536 2 % 11,495 2 % 27,135 2 % 31,983 2 % Total off-network and other revenues 48,665 10 % 65,973 13 % 153,839 10 % 173,766 12 % Total $ 506,658 $ 489,449 $ 1,544,514 $ 1,430,303

Net Loss per Share (Tables)

Net Loss per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS (in thousands, except per share data or where otherwise noted): Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended Numerator: Net loss attributable to Intelsat S.A. $ (148,292) $ (15,931) $ (798,636) $ (640,057) Denominator: Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in millions) 140.9 142.1 140.1 141.9 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in millions): 140.9 142.1 140.1 141.9 Basic EPS $ (1.05) $ (0.11) $ (5.70) $ (4.51) Diluted EPS $ (1.05) $ (0.11) $ (5.70) $ (4.51)

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The tables below present assets measured and recorded at fair value in our condensed consolidated balance sheets on a recurring basis and their corresponding level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands). No transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements occurred for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2019 Description As of December 31, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Marketable securities (1) $ 5,145 $ 5,145 $ — $ — Undesignated interest rate cap contracts (2) 372 — 372 — Common stock warrant (3) 3,239 — — 3,239 Total assets $ 8,756 $ 5,145 $ 372 $ 3,239 Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2020 Description As of September 30, 2020 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Marketable securities (1) $ 4,823 $ 4,823 $ — $ — Common stock warrant (3) 3,239 — — 3,239 Total assets $ 8,062 $ 4,823 $ — $ 3,239 (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 marketable securities was $4.3 million and $3.9 million as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively. We sold marketable securities with a cost basis of $0.1 million resulting in a nominal gain during each of the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020. We sold marketable securities with a cost basis of $0.6 million and $0.5 million resulting in a nominal gain during each of the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively. These amounts are included in other income (expense), net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. (2) The valuation of our interest rate derivative instruments reflects the fair value of premiums paid, taking into account observable inputs including current interest rates, the market expectation for future interest rate volatility and current creditworthiness of the counterparties. As a result, we have determined that the valuation in its entirety is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. (3) We valued the common stock warrant using a valuation technique that reflects the risk-free interest rate, time to maturity and volatility of comparable companies. We identified the inputs used to calculate the fair value as Level 3 inputs and concluded that the valuation in its entirety is classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
Schedule of Reconciliation of Preferred and Common Stock Warrants Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following table presents a reconciliation of the preferred and common stock warrants which are measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs (in thousands): Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended Balance as of beginning of period $ 247 $ 3,239 $ 4,100 $ 3,239 Unrealized loss included in other income (expense), net (247) — (4,100) — Balance as of end of period $ — $ 3,239 $ — $ 3,239

Retirement Plans and Other Re_2

Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income)	The tables below show the components of net periodic benefit cost (income) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020 (in thousands). These amounts are recognized in other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Pension Benefits Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended Interest cost $ 3,848 $ 2,962 $ 11,543 $ 8,888 Expected return on plan assets (5,873) (5,810) (17,618) (17,431) Amortization of unrecognized net loss 1,055 1,600 3,166 4,799 Net periodic benefit income $ (970) $ (1,248) $ (2,909) $ (3,744) Other Postretirement Benefits Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended Interest cost $ 383 $ 266 $ 1,149 $ 798 Amortization of unrecognized prior service credits (636) (636) (1,908) (1,908) Amortization of unrecognized net gain (307) (305) (922) (915) Net periodic benefit income $ (560) $ (675) $ (1,681) $ (2,025)

Satellites and Other Property_2

Satellites and Other Property and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
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 Satellites and launch vehicles $ 10,407,690 $ 10,361,059 Information systems and ground segment 968,482 1,020,132 Buildings and other 280,109 288,484 Total cost 11,656,281 11,669,675 Less: accumulated depreciation (6,954,218) (6,973,552) Total $ 4,702,063 $ 4,696,123

Goodwill and Other Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Carrying Amounts of Goodwill	The carrying amounts of goodwill consisted of the following (in thousands): As of As of Goodwill $ 6,780,827 $ 6,780,827 Accumulated impairment losses (4,160,200) (4,160,200) Net carrying amount $ 2,620,627 $ 2,620,627
Schedule of Carrying Amounts of Acquired Intangible Assets Not Subject to Amortization	The carrying amounts of acquired intangible assets not subject to amortization consisted of the following (in thousands): As of As of Orbital locations $ 2,387,700 $ 2,387,700 Trade name 65,200 53,000 Total non-amortizable intangible assets $ 2,452,900 $ 2,440,700
Schedule of Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Acquired Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization	The carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of acquired intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following (in thousands): As of December 31, 2019 As of September 30, 2020 Gross Carrying Accumulated Net Carrying Gross Carrying Accumulated Net Carrying Backlog and other $ 743,760 $ (713,205) $ 30,555 $ 743,760 $ (720,292) $ 23,468 Customer relationships 534,030 (287,833) 246,197 534,030 (304,073) 229,957 Total $ 1,277,790 $ (1,001,038) $ 276,752 $ 1,277,790 $ (1,024,365) $ 253,425

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
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 debt were as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2019 As of September 30, 2020 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Intelsat S.A.: 4.5% Convertible Senior Notes due June 2025 (1) $ 402,500 $ 265,231 $ 402,500 $ 128,800 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and discount on 4.5% Convertible Senior Notes (133,310) — — — Total Intelsat S.A. obligations 269,190 265,231 402,500 128,800 Intelsat Luxembourg: 7.75% Senior Notes due June 2021 (1) 421,219 336,975 421,219 14,743 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs on 7.75% Senior Notes (1,257) — — — 8.125% Senior Notes due June 2023 (1) 1,000,000 590,000 1,000,000 35,000 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs on 8.125% Senior Notes (5,838) — — — 12.5% Senior Notes due November 2024 (1) 403,350 277,152 403,350 50,536 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and discount on 12.5% Senior Notes (184,344) — — — Total Intelsat Luxembourg obligations 1,633,130 1,204,127 1,824,569 100,279 Intelsat Connect Finance: 9.5% Senior Notes due February 2023 (1) 1,250,000 865,625 1,250,000 375,000 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and discount on 9.5% Senior Notes (27,741) — — — Total Intelsat Connect Finance obligations 1,222,259 865,625 1,250,000 375,000 Intelsat Jackson: 9.5% Senior Secured Notes due September 2022 490,000 562,275 490,000 531,650 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and discount on 9.5% Senior Secured Notes (11,204) — (8,459) — 8% Senior Secured Notes due February 2024 1,349,678 1,380,046 1,349,678 1,368,236 As of December 31, 2019 As of September 30, 2020 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and premium on 8% Senior Secured Notes (3,903) — (3,286) — 5.5% Senior Notes due August 2023 (1) 1,985,000 1,687,250 1,985,000 1,230,700 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs on 5.5% Senior Notes (8,723) — — — 9.75% Senior Notes due July 2025 (1) 1,885,000 1,729,488 1,885,000 1,232,319 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs on 9.75% Senior Notes (20,487) — — — 8.5% Senior Notes due October 2024 (1) 2,950,000 2,669,750 2,950,000 1,902,750 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and premium on 8.5% Senior Notes (12,916) — — — Senior Secured Credit Facilities due November 2023 2,000,000 1,985,000 2,000,000 1,980,000 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and discount on Senior Secured Credit Facilities (22,149) — (18,290) — Senior Secured Credit Facilities due January 2024 395,000 398,950 395,000 391,050 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and discount on Senior Secured Credit Facilities (1,600) — (1,331) — 6.625% Senior Secured Credit Facilities due January 2024 700,000 712,250 700,000 707,000 Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and discount on Senior Secured Credit Facilities (2,832) — (2,359) — Superpriority Secured DIP Credit Facilities due July 2021 — — 500,000 505,625 Total Intelsat Jackson obligations 11,670,864 11,125,009 12,220,953 9,849,330 Eliminations: 8.125% Senior Notes of Intelsat Luxembourg due June 2023 owned by Intelsat Jackson (1) (111,663) (65,881) (111,663) (3,908) Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs on 8.125% Senior Notes 652 — — — 12.5% Senior Notes of Intelsat Luxembourg due November 2024 owned by Intelsat Connect, Intelsat Jackson and Intelsat Envision (1) (403,245) (277,080) (403,245) (50,522) Unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs and discount on 12.5% Senior Notes 184,296 — — — Total eliminations: (329,960) (342,961) (514,908) (54,430) Total Intelsat S.A. debt 14,465,483 13,117,031 15,183,114 10,398,979 Less: current portion of long-term debt — — 5,400,953 5,483,561 Less: debt included in liabilities subject to compromise — — 9,782,161 4,915,418 Total Intelsat S.A. long-term debt $ 14,465,483 $ 13,117,031 $ — $ — (1) In connection with the Chapter 11 Cases, these balances have been reclassified as liabilities subject to compromise in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2020. As of April 15, 2020, the Company ceased making principal and interest payments, and as of May 13, 2020 ceased accruing interest expense in relation to this long-term debt that was reclassified as liabilities subject to compromise. Further, $197.0 million of debt discount, premium and issuance costs related to these notes was included within reorganization items in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Derivative Instruments and He_2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
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 instruments Classification As of As of Common stock warrant Other assets $ 3,239 $ 3,239 Interest rate cap contracts Other assets 372 — Total derivatives $ 3,611 $ 3,239
Schedule of Effect of Derivative Instruments on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations	The following table sets forth the effect of the derivative instruments in our condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands): Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments Classification Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended Interest rate cap contracts Loss included in interest expense, net $ (1,625) $ (23) $ (21,104) $ (372) Preferred stock warrant Loss included in other income (expense), net (247) — (4,100) — Total loss on derivative financial instruments $ (1,872) $ (23) $ (25,204) $ (372)

Condensed Combined Debtors' F_2

Condensed Combined Debtors' Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Debtors' Unaudited Condensed Combined Balance Sheet	DEBTORS' UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET (in thousands, except per share amounts) September 30, 2020 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 880,185 Restricted cash 19,091 Receivables, net of allowance of $24,884 146,096 Contract assets 30,387 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 100,815 Intercompany receivables 187,613 Total current assets 1,364,187 Satellites and other property and equipment, net 4,631,470 Goodwill 2,620,627 Non-amortizable intangible assets 2,440,700 Amortizable intangible assets, net 253,425 Contract assets, net of current portion 40,148 Investment in affiliates 168,251 Other assets 411,348 Total assets $ 11,930,156 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 163,538 Taxes payable 8,775 Employee related liabilities 31,047 Accrued interest payable 13,837 Current portion of long-term debt 5,400,953 Contract liabilities 125,415 Deferred satellite performance incentives 42,337 Other current liabilities 53,075 Total current liabilities 5,838,977 Contract liabilities, net of current portion 1,042,850 Deferred satellite performance incentives, net of current portion 146,559 Deferred income taxes 63,646 Accrued retirement benefits, net of current portion 113,258 Other long-term liabilities 186,771 Liabilities subject to compromise 10,170,344 Shareholders’ deficit: Common shares, nominal value $0.01 per share 1,421 Paid-in capital 2,572,324 Accumulated deficit (8,144,803) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (61,191) Total shareholders’ deficit (5,632,249) Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit $ 11,930,156
Debtors' Unaudited Condensed Combined Statements of Operations	DEBTORS' UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Revenue $ 473,556 $ 1,314,307 Operating expenses: Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) 69,189 200,538 Selling, general and administrative 57,659 181,931 Cost from affiliates 9,785 32,047 Depreciation and amortization 157,442 472,610 Impairment of non-amortizable intangible and other assets — 46,243 Total operating expenses 294,075 933,369 Income from operations 179,481 380,938 Interest expense, net 137,444 677,124 Equity in loss of affiliates (40,791) (41,260) Other income, net 2,973 15,007 Reorganization items (36,367) (335,059) Loss before income taxes (32,148) (657,498) Benefit from income taxes (16,217) (17,441) Net loss $ (15,931) $ (640,057)
Debtors' Unaudited Condensed Combined Statements of Cash Flow	DEBTORS' UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) Nine Months Ended Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss $ (640,057) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 472,610 Provision for doubtful accounts 34,465 Foreign currency transaction gain (801) Impairment of non-amortizable intangible and other assets 46,243 Share-based compensation 9,031 Deferred income taxes 5,470 Amortization of discount, premium, issuance costs and related costs 19,689 Non-cash reorganization items 196,974 Debtor-in-possession financing fees 52,182 Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service credits for retirement benefits 1,976 Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments 372 Unrealized losses on investments and loans held-for-investment 721 Equity in loss of affiliates 41,260 Other non-cash items (7) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Receivables 12,841 Intercompany receivables (105,048) Prepaid expenses, contract and other assets (81,814) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 69,812 Accrued interest payable 48,713 Contract liabilities (66,304) Accrued retirement benefits (12,253) Other long-term liabilities 2,801 Net cash provided by operating activities 108,876 Cash flows from investing activities: Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest) (414,610) Dividends from affiliates 28,960 Proceeds from loans held-for-investment 973 Capital contribution to affiliates (9,005) Other proceeds from satellites 5,625 Net cash used in investing activities (388,057) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from debtor-in-possession financing 500,000 Debtor-in-possession financing fees (52,182) Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives (25,428) Net cash provided by financing activities 422,390 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 754 Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 143,963 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period 755,313 Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period $ 899,276 Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated Debtors' balance sheet to the total sum of these same amounts shown on the condensed consolidated Debtors' statement of cash flows: Cash and cash equivalents $ 880,185 Restricted cash 19,091 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the condensed consolidated Debtors' statement of cash flows $ 899,276

General - Cash and Cash Equival

General - Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,001,000	$ 810,626
Restricted cash	19,350	20,238
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 1,020,350	$ 830,864	$ 824,634	$ 507,157

General - Additional Informatio

General - Additional Information (Details)	Aug. 31, 2020USD ($)aircraft	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase of reserve for credit losses			$ 4,600,000		$ 4,600,000
Impairment for goodwill		$ 0
Gogo Inc.
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Number of aircraft with installed base (more than) | aircraft	3,000
Gogo Inc.
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Payments to acquire business	$ 400,000,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-13
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase of reserve for credit losses				$ 900,000

Chapter 11 Proceedings, Abili_3

Chapter 11 Proceedings, Ability to Continue as a Going Concern and Other Related Matters - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 17, 2020	May 20, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]
Interest payments due which were not paid	$ 196,400		$ 298,900
Common shares, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01		$ 0.01			$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,001,000		$ 1,001,000				$ 810,626
Accumulated deficit	8,144,803		8,144,803				$ 7,503,830
Income from operations	137,394	$ 179,629	349,468	$ 192,653
Net loss	$ 15,331	$ 147,698	$ 638,273	$ 796,851
Revolving Credit Facility | Superpriority Secured DIP Credit Facilities due July 2021 | Line of Credit | Intelsat Jackson
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]
Debtor in possession financing, aggregate principal amount					$ 1,000,000

Chapter 11 Proceedings, Abili_4

Chapter 11 Proceedings, Ability to Continue as a Going Concern and Other Related Matters - Liabilities Subject to Compromise (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Reorganizations [Abstract]
Accounts payable	$ 9,874
Debt subject to comprise	9,782,161	$ 0
Accrued interest on debt subject to compromise	341,676
Other long-term liabilities subject to compromise	36,633
Total liabilities subject to compromise	$ 10,170,344	$ 0

Chapter 11 Proceedings, Abili_5

Chapter 11 Proceedings, Ability to Continue as a Going Concern and Other Related Matters - Reorganization Items, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Reorganizations [Abstract]
Adjustment of debt discount, premium and issuance costs	$ 0		$ 196,974
Debtor-in-possession financing fees	0		52,182	$ 0
Professional fees	36,262		85,233
Other reorganization costs	105		670
Reorganization items	$ 36,367	$ 0	$ 335,059	$ 0

Share Capital (Details)

Share Capital (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	May 20, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Authorized share capital	$ 10
Common shares, authorized (in shares)	1,000,000,000
Common shares, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common shares, issued (in shares)	142,100,000
Common shares, outstanding (in shares)	142,100,000

Revenue - Additional Informatio

Revenue - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Revenue recognized, previously included in contract liability balance		$ 47,800	$ 54,800	$ 185,500	$ 200,300
Contract assets, unconditional amount				15,100	9,100
Capitalized contract cost		1,500	1,700	3,900	5,700
Capitalized contract cost, amortization		1,100	1,200	3,900	4,700
Capitalized contract cost, net	$ 9,500	9,500		9,500		$ 9,400
Remaining performance obligation	$ 6,100,000	$ 6,100,000		$ 6,100,000
Remaining performance obligation, non-cancelable	92.00%	92.00%		92.00%
Remaining performance obligation, cancelable	8.00%	8.00%		8.00%
Weighted average remaining customer contract life	4 years
Percentage of remaining performance obligation of consolidated interests included				100.00%
Revenue		$ 489,449	506,658	$ 1,430,303	1,544,514
Network Services
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Revenue		169,600	180,800	495,700	570,200
Media Services
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Revenue		203,500	222,900	611,900	672,300
Government Services
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Revenue		108,000	95,700	299,900	282,300
Satellite-related services
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Revenue		$ 8,300	$ 7,300	$ 22,800	$ 19,700
Minimum
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Prepayment term on contracts with customers				1 month
Maximum
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Prepayment term on contracts with customers				1 year
Small Subset of Customers | Minimum
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Prepayment term on contracts with customers				1 year
Small Subset of Customers | Maximum
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Prepayment term on contracts with customers				15 years
Largest Customer | Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage		14.00%	15.00%	14.00%	15.00%
Ten Largest Customers | Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage		43.00%	42.00%	41.00%	40.00%

Revenue - Remaining Performance

Revenue - Remaining Performance Obligation (Details)	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-10-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, percentage	29.00%
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, period	1 year 3 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, percentage	27.00%
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, period	2 years
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2024-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, percentage	44.00%
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, period

Revenue - Geographic Distributi

Revenue - Geographic Distribution of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 489,449	$ 506,658	$ 1,430,303	$ 1,544,514
North America
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 266,516	$ 271,001	$ 758,999	$ 804,014
North America | Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark | Geographic Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	54.00%	53.00%	53.00%	52.00%
Europe
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 54,082	$ 60,708	$ 160,866	$ 186,497
Europe | Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark | Geographic Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	11.00%	12.00%	11.00%	12.00%
Latin America and Caribbean
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 52,474	$ 56,702	$ 157,956	$ 183,045
Latin America and Caribbean | Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark | Geographic Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	11.00%	11.00%	11.00%	12.00%
Africa and Middle East
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 60,349	$ 61,080	$ 181,151	$ 185,186
Africa and Middle East | Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark | Geographic Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	12.00%	12.00%	13.00%	12.00%
Asia-Pacific
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 56,028	$ 57,167	$ 171,331	$ 185,772
Asia-Pacific | Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark | Geographic Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	11.00%	11.00%	12.00%	12.00%

Revenue - Off-Network and On-Ne

Revenue - Off-Network and On-Network Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 489,449	$ 506,658	$ 1,430,303	$ 1,544,514
On-Network Revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	423,476	457,993	1,256,537	1,390,675
Off-Network and Other Revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	65,973	48,665	173,766	153,839
Transponder, MSS and other off-network services | On-Network Revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	353,758	364,312	1,028,692	1,111,182
Transponder, MSS and other off-network services | Off-Network and Other Revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	54,478	39,129	141,783	126,704
Managed services | On-Network Revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	69,438	93,080	226,749	277,616
Channel | On-Network Revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	280	601	1,096	1,877
Satellite-related services | Off-Network and Other Revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 11,495	$ 9,536	$ 31,983	$ 27,135
Service Concentration Risk | Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark | On-Network Revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	87.00%	90.00%	88.00%	90.00%
Service Concentration Risk | Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark | Off-Network and Other Revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	13.00%	10.00%	12.00%	10.00%
Service Concentration Risk | Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark | Transponder, MSS and other off-network services | On-Network Revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	72.00%	72.00%	72.00%	72.00%
Service Concentration Risk | Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark | Transponder, MSS and other off-network services | Off-Network and Other Revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	11.00%	8.00%	10.00%	8.00%
Service Concentration Risk | Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark | Managed services | On-Network Revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	14.00%	18.00%	16.00%	18.00%
Service Concentration Risk | Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark | Channel | On-Network Revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Service Concentration Risk | Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark | Satellite-related services | Off-Network and Other Revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%

Net Loss per Share - Additional

Net Loss per Share - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Dilutive securities (in shares)	0	0	0	0
Weighted average number of shares that could potentially dilute basic EPS in the future	22,300,000	26,500,000	22,300,000	26,800,000
4.5% Convertible Senior Notes due June 2025 | Intelsat S.A. | Convertible Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	4.50%		4.50%
Principal amount					$ 402,500,000

Net Loss per Share - Computatio

Net Loss per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Numerator:
Net loss attributable to Intelsat S.A.	$ (15,931)	$ (148,292)	$ (640,057)	$ (798,636)
Denominator:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in millions) (in shares)	142.1	140.9	141.9	140.1
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in millions) (in shares)	142.1	140.9	141.9	140.1
Basic EPS (in dollars per share)	$ (110)	$ (1.05)	$ (4,510)	$ (5.70)
Diluted EPS (in dollars per share)	$ (110)	$ (1.05)	$ (4,510)	$ (5.70)

Fair Value Measurements - Asset

Fair Value Measurements - Assets and Liabilities Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details) - Fair Value, Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Assets
Marketable securities	$ 4,823	$ 5,145
Total assets	8,062	8,756
Level 1
Assets
Marketable securities	4,823	5,145
Total assets	4,823	5,145
Level 2
Assets
Marketable securities	0	0
Total assets	0	372
Level 3
Assets
Marketable securities	0	0
Total assets	3,239	3,239
Undesignated interest rate cap contracts
Assets
Undesignated interest rate cap contracts/common stock warrant		372
Undesignated interest rate cap contracts | Level 1
Assets
Undesignated interest rate cap contracts/common stock warrant		0
Undesignated interest rate cap contracts | Level 2
Assets
Undesignated interest rate cap contracts/common stock warrant		372
Undesignated interest rate cap contracts | Level 3
Assets
Undesignated interest rate cap contracts/common stock warrant		0
Common stock warrant | Common Stock
Assets
Undesignated interest rate cap contracts/common stock warrant	3,239	3,239
Common stock warrant | Common Stock | Level 1
Assets
Undesignated interest rate cap contracts/common stock warrant	0	0
Common stock warrant | Common Stock | Level 2
Assets
Undesignated interest rate cap contracts/common stock warrant	0	0
Common stock warrant | Common Stock | Level 3
Assets
Undesignated interest rate cap contracts/common stock warrant	$ 3,239	$ 3,239

Fair Value Measurements - Ass_2

Fair Value Measurements - Assets and Liabilities Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Footnote) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Cost basis of marketable securities	$ 3.9		$ 3.9		$ 4.3
Cost basis of marketable securities sold	$ 0.1	$ 0.1	$ 0.5	$ 0.6

Fair Value Measurement - Fair V

Fair Value Measurement - Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation (Details) - Level 3 - Common and Preferred Stock - Common stock warrant - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance as of beginning of period	$ 3,239	$ 247	$ 3,239	$ 4,100
Unrealized loss included in other income (expense), net	0	(247)	0	(4,100)
Balance as of end of period	$ 3,239	$ 0	$ 3,239	$ 0

Fair Value Measurements - Addit

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)
Trade name
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of non-amortizable intangible assets	$ 12.2

Retirement Plans and Other Re_3

Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amount included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, before tax, that has not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost	$ 94.4		$ 94.4
Amount included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, that has not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost	63		63
Recognized compensation expense	2.2	$ 2.1	6.7	$ 6.4
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash contributions made			3.1
Expected contributions remaining in fiscal year	0.9		0.9
Other Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected contributions during fiscal year	$ 2.9		$ 2.9

Retirement Plans and Other Re_4

Retirement Plans and Other Retiree Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost	$ 2,962	$ 3,848	$ 8,888	$ 11,543
Expected return on plan assets	(5,810)	(5,873)	(17,431)	(17,618)
Amortization of unrecognized net (gain) loss	1,600	1,055	4,799	3,166
Net periodic benefit income	(1,248)	(970)	(3,744)	(2,909)
Other Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost	266	383	798	1,149
Amortization of unrecognized prior service credits	(636)	(636)	(1,908)	(1,908)
Amortization of unrecognized net (gain) loss	(305)	(307)	(915)	(922)
Net periodic benefit income	$ (675)	$ (560)	$ (2,025)	$ (1,681)

Satellites and Other Property_3

Satellites and Other Property and Equipment - Satellites and Other Property and Equipment, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Satellites and other property and equipment, cost	$ 11,669,675	$ 11,656,281
Less: accumulated depreciation	(6,973,552)	(6,954,218)
Total	4,696,123	4,702,063
Satellites and launch vehicles
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Satellites and other property and equipment, cost	10,361,059	10,407,690
Information systems and ground segment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Satellites and other property and equipment, cost	1,020,132	968,482
Buildings and other
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Satellites and other property and equipment, cost	$ 288,484	$ 280,109

Satellites and Other Property_4

Satellites and Other Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Impairment of satellites and other property and equipment			$ 0
Construction-in-progress	$ 606,500,000					$ 606,500,000		$ 191,500,000
Costs and expenses incurred related to c-band clearing	312,100,000					312,100,000
Capitalized costs and expenses related to c-band	311,600,000					311,600,000
Capitalized interest	10,500,000			$ 9,600,000		20,700,000	$ 26,700,000
Depreciation expense	154,400,000			152,700,000		463,300,000	470,400,000
Satellite impairment loss	0			0	$ 381,600,000	0	381,565,000
Write off of the carrying value of the satellite and associated deferred performance incentive obligations					377,900,000
Impairment of prepaid regulatory fees					$ 3,700,000
Impairment of non-amortizable intangible and other assets	0	$ 34,000,000		$ 0		46,243,000	$ 0
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capitalized costs and expenses related to c-band	288,200,000					288,200,000
Other Current Assets
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capitalized costs and expenses related to c-band	400,000					400,000
Other Noncurrent Assets
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capitalized costs and expenses related to c-band	$ 22,900,000					$ 22,900,000

Investments (Details)

Investments (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)entitycompanyinvestment	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Number of entities meeting variable interest entity classification | entity			2
Total assets	$ 12,014,416,000		$ 12,014,416,000		$ 11,804,382,000
Percentage of revenue remitted to joint venture partner			50.00%
Number of privately held companies in which noncontrolling equity investments are held | company			7
Impairment charge of equity securities without readily determinable fair values	0	$ 5,000,000	$ 100,000	$ 34,100,000
Increase in fair value for equity securities without readily determinable fair values	0	1,700,000	0	1,700,000
Carrying value of equity securities without readily determinable fair values	31,900,000		31,900,000		27,200,000
Stock warrants, cumulative fair value	3,200,000		$ 3,200,000		3,200,000
Number of privately held companies which loan receivables are carried from | company			3
Loan receivables, total amortized costs basis	68,800,000		$ 68,800,000		70,400,000
Allowance for loan losses	4,600,000		4,600,000		4,600,000
Unamortized discount on loan receivables	1,300,000		1,300,000		3,000,000
Unamortized deferred transaction costs on loan receivables	400,000		400,000		1,000,000
Accrued interest on loan receivables	2,900,000		2,900,000		1,500,000
Interest income on loan receivables	1,000,000	0	2,900,000	0
Impairment losses on loan receivables	0	0	600,000	0
Loan receivables, fair value	71,300,000		$ 71,300,000		69,300,000
Horizons Satellite Holdings
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Number of investments | investment			2
Total assets	16,800,000		$ 16,800,000		22,200,000
Liabilities	1,100,000		1,100,000		0
Revenue share, net of applicable fees and commissions	2,100,000		$ 2,100,000		1,600,000
Equity Method Investee | Horizons 3 Satellite LLC
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of revenue remitted to joint venture partner			50.00%
Revenue share, net of applicable fees and commissions	4,500,000		$ 4,500,000		3,300,000
Ownership percentage			50.00%
Investment balance	103,800,000		$ 103,800,000		110,200,000
Amount investment balance exceeded equity in net assets	$ 11,100,000		$ 11,100,000		11,600,000
Percentage of capital contribution			50.00%
Equity method investment, ownership interest percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Payments for advance to affiliate			$ 2,700,000		5,000,000
Distributions received			9,000,000		5,000,000
Expenses from transaction with related party	$ 4,900,000	5,600,000	14,900,000	14,800,000
Revenue from transaction with related party	1,700,000	$ 1,800,000	5,200,000	$ 3,900,000
Receivables from related party	500,000		500,000		500,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities due to related party	$ 1,600,000		$ 1,600,000		$ 1,700,000

Goodwill and Other Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)reportingUnit	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of reporting units | reportingUnit				1
Projection period used in discounted cash flow analysis for estimated fair of reporting unit				5 years
Impairment for goodwill		$ 0
Amortization expense	$ 7,800,000		$ 8,600,000	$ 23,300,000	$ 25,800,000
Impairment of satellites and other property and equipment		0
Orbital locations
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of non-amortizable intangible assets		0
Trade name
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of non-amortizable intangible assets		$ 12,200,000

Goodwill and Other Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Carrying Amounts of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 6,780,827	$ 6,780,827
Accumulated impairment losses	(4,160,200)	(4,160,200)
Net carrying amount	$ 2,620,627	$ 2,620,627

Goodwill and Other Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Carrying Amounts of Acquired Intangible Assets Not Subject to Amortization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Non-amortizable intangible assets	$ 2,440,700	$ 2,452,900
Orbital locations
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Non-amortizable intangible assets	2,387,700	2,387,700
Trade name
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Non-amortizable intangible assets	$ 53,000	$ 65,200

Goodwill and Other Intangible_6

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Carrying Amounts and Accumulated Amortization of Acquired Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 1,277,790	$ 1,277,790
Accumulated Amortization	(1,024,365)	(1,001,038)
Net Carrying Amount	253,425	276,752
Backlog and other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	743,760	743,760
Accumulated Amortization	(720,292)	(713,205)
Net Carrying Amount	23,468	30,555
Customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	534,030	534,030
Accumulated Amortization	(304,073)	(287,833)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 229,957	$ 246,197

Debt - Carrying Values and Fair

Debt - Carrying Values and Fair Values of Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	$ 15,183,114	$ 15,183,114	$ 14,465,483
Fair Value	10,398,979	10,398,979	13,117,031
Less: current portion of long-term debt, carrying value	5,400,953	5,400,953	0
Less: current portion of long-term debt, fair value	5,483,561	5,483,561	0
Less: liabilities subject to compromise, carrying value	9,782,161	9,782,161	0
Less: liabilities subject to compromise, fair value	4,915,418	4,915,418	0
Total Intelsat S.A. long-term debt, carrying value	0	0	14,465,483
Total Intelsat S.A. long-term debt, carrying value, fair value	0	0	13,117,031
Debt discount, premium and issuance costs included within reorganization items	0	196,974
Intelsat Jackson
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	12,220,953	12,220,953	11,670,864
Fair Value	9,849,330	9,849,330	11,125,009
Convertible Debt | Intelsat S.A.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	402,500	402,500	269,190
Fair Value	$ 128,800	$ 128,800	265,231
Convertible Debt | Intelsat S.A. | 4.5% Convertible Senior Notes due June 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	4.50%	4.50%
Carrying value, gross	$ 402,500	$ 402,500	402,500
Carrying value, unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs, discount and premium	0	0	(133,310)
Fair Value	128,800	128,800	265,231
Senior Notes | Intelsat Luxembourg
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,824,569	1,824,569	1,633,130
Fair Value	$ 100,279	$ 100,279	1,204,127
Senior Notes | Intelsat Luxembourg | 7.75% Senior Notes due June 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	7.75%	7.75%
Carrying value, gross	$ 421,219	$ 421,219	421,219
Carrying value, unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs	0	0	(1,257)
Fair Value	$ 14,743	$ 14,743	336,975
Senior Notes | Intelsat Luxembourg | 8.125% Senior Notes due June 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	8.125%	8.125%
Carrying value, gross	$ 1,000,000	$ 1,000,000	1,000,000
Carrying value, unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs	0	0	(5,838)
Fair Value	$ 35,000	$ 35,000	590,000
Senior Notes | Intelsat Luxembourg | 12.5% Senior Notes due November 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	12.50%	12.50%
Carrying value, gross	$ 403,350	$ 403,350	403,350
Carrying value, unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs, discount and premium	0	0	(184,344)
Fair Value	50,536	50,536	277,152
Senior Notes | Intelsat Connect Finance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,250,000	1,250,000	1,222,259
Fair Value	375,000	375,000	865,625
Senior Notes | Intelsat Connect Finance | Eliminations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	(514,908)	(514,908)	(329,960)
Fair Value	$ (54,430)	$ (54,430)	(342,961)
Senior Notes | Intelsat Connect Finance | 9.5% Senior Notes due February 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	9.50%	9.50%
Carrying value, gross	$ 1,250,000	$ 1,250,000	1,250,000
Carrying value, unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs, discount and premium	0	0	(27,741)
Fair Value	$ 375,000	$ 375,000	865,625
Senior Notes | Intelsat Jackson | 9.5% Senior Secured Notes due September 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	9.50%	9.50%
Carrying value, gross	$ 490,000	$ 490,000	490,000
Carrying value, unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs, discount and premium	(8,459)	(8,459)	(11,204)
Fair Value	$ 531,650	$ 531,650	562,275
Senior Notes | Intelsat Jackson | 8% Senior Secured Notes due February 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	8.00%	8.00%
Carrying value, gross	$ 1,349,678	$ 1,349,678	1,349,678
Carrying value, unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs, discount and premium	(3,286)	(3,286)	(3,903)
Fair Value	$ 1,368,236	$ 1,368,236	1,380,046
Senior Notes | Intelsat Jackson | 5.5% Senior Notes due August 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	5.50%	5.50%
Carrying value, gross	$ 1,985,000	$ 1,985,000	1,985,000
Carrying value, unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs	0	0	(8,723)
Fair Value	$ 1,230,700	$ 1,230,700	1,687,250
Senior Notes | Intelsat Jackson | 9.75% Senior Notes due July 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	9.75%	9.75%
Carrying value, gross	$ 1,885,000	$ 1,885,000	1,885,000
Carrying value, unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs	0	0	(20,487)
Fair Value	$ 1,232,319	$ 1,232,319	1,729,488
Senior Notes | Intelsat Jackson | 8.5% Senior Notes due October 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	8.50%	8.50%
Carrying value, gross	$ 2,950,000	$ 2,950,000	2,950,000
Carrying value, unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs, discount and premium	0	0	(12,916)
Fair Value	$ 1,902,750	$ 1,902,750	2,669,750
Senior Notes | Intelsat Jackson | 8.125% Senior Notes of Intelsat Luxembourg due June 2023 owned by Intelsat Jackson | Eliminations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	8.125%	8.125%
Carrying value, gross	$ (111,663)	$ (111,663)	(111,663)
Carrying value, unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs	0	0	652
Fair Value	$ (3,908)	$ (3,908)	(65,881)
Senior Notes | Intelsat Connect Finance, Intel Jackson and Intelsat Envision | 12.5% Senior Notes due November 2024 | Eliminations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	12.50%	12.50%
Carrying value, gross	$ (403,245)	$ (403,245)	(403,245)
Carrying value, unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs, discount and premium	0	0	184,296
Fair Value	(50,522)	(50,522)	(277,080)
Secured Debt | Line of Credit | Intelsat Jackson | Senior Secured Credit Facilities due November 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value, gross	2,000,000	2,000,000	2,000,000
Carrying value, unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs, discount and premium	(18,290)	(18,290)	(22,149)
Fair Value	1,980,000	1,980,000	1,985,000
Secured Debt | Line of Credit | Intelsat Jackson | Senior Secured Credit Facilities due January 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value, gross	395,000	395,000	395,000
Carrying value, unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs, discount and premium	(1,331)	(1,331)	(1,600)
Fair Value	$ 391,050	$ 391,050	398,950
Secured Debt | Line of Credit | Intelsat Jackson | 6.625% Senior Secured Credit Facilities due January 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, interest rate	6.625%	6.625%
Carrying value, gross	$ 700,000	$ 700,000	700,000
Carrying value, unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs, discount and premium	(2,359)	(2,359)	(2,832)
Fair Value	707,000	707,000	$ 712,250
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of Credit | Intelsat Jackson | Superpriority Secured DIP Credit Facilities due July 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value, gross	500,000	500,000
Fair Value	$ 505,625	$ 505,625

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Details) - Intelsat Jackson - Superpriority Secured DIP Credit Facilities due July 2021 - Line of Credit - Revolving Credit Facility	Jun. 17, 2020USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debtor in possession financing, aggregate principal amount	$ 1,000,000,000
Principal amount	500,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity per draw	$ 250,000,000
Ticking fee	3.60%
Interest rate in event of debt default	2.00%
Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	4.50%
Fed Funds Effective Rate Overnight Index Swap Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	0.50%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	5.50%
Basis spread on variable rate, floor	1.00%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), One Month Interest Period
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.00%

Derivative Instruments and He_3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Other assets | Preferred stock warrant | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives, fair value	$ 0		$ 0
Interest rate cap contracts
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional value	2,400,000,000		2,400,000,000
Settlement payments received related to interest rate cap contracts	0	$ 9,500,000
Interest rate cap contracts | Other assets | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives, fair value	$ 0		$ 372,000

Derivative Instruments and He_4

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Fair Value of Derivatives by Category (Details) - Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivatives	$ 3,239	$ 3,611
Other assets | Common stock warrant
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives, fair value	3,239	3,239
Other assets | Interest rate cap contracts
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivatives, fair value	$ 0	$ 372

Derivative Instruments and He_5

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Effect of Derivative Instruments on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Derivative [Line Items]
Total loss on derivative financial instruments	$ (23)	$ (1,872)	$ (372)	$ (25,204)
Loss included in interest expense, net | Interest rate cap contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate cap contracts/preferred stock warrant	(23)	(1,625)	(372)	(21,104)
Loss included in other income (expense), net | Preferred stock warrant
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate cap contracts/preferred stock warrant	$ 0	$ (247)	$ 0	$ (4,100)

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax [Line Items]
Reclassification of stranded tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive loss to accumulated deficit	$ 0	$ 0	$ 16,200	$ 0	$ 16,191
Income tax refund expected from taxing authority related to CARES Act	11,400			26,900
Deferred payroll tax liability related to CARES Act	3,400			3,400
Gross unrecognized tax benefits	42,400			42,400		$ 25,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	38,500			38,500		21,500
Reserves for interest and penalties	$ 700			700		600
Increase to unrecognized tax benefits related to current year tax positions				7,000
Increase to unrecognized tax benefits related to prior tax positions				13,000
Decrease to unrecognized tax benefits related to the expiration of statute of limitations for assessment certain taxes				$ 2,500
Payment made India tax authority						$ 7,000
Intelsat Luxembourg
Income Tax [Line Items]
Enacted tax rate							24.94%	26.01%

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Billions	Jul. 14, 2020USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Possible loss contingency	$ 1.8
Third party claim to payments	50.00%

Related Party Transactions (Det

Related Party Transactions (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Horizons Satellite Holdings
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	50.00%
Horizons 3 Satellite LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	50.00%

Condensed Combined Debtors' F_3

Condensed Combined Debtors' Financial Information - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]
Revenue	$ (489,449)	$ (506,658)	$ (1,430,303)	$ (1,544,514)
Parent Company and Subsidiaries in Debtor-In-Possession Financing
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]
Revenue	(473,556)		(1,314,307)
Parent Company and Subsidiaries in Debtor-In-Possession Financing | Intersegment Eliminations
Fresh-Start Adjustment [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 106,000		$ 228,600

Condensed Combined Debtors' F_4

Condensed Combined Debtors' Financial Information - Debtors' Unaudited Condensed Combined Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,001,000	$ 810,626
Restricted cash	19,350	20,238
Receivables, net of allowance of $24,884	215,725	255,722
Contract assets	40,479	47,721
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	104,838	39,230
Total current assets	1,381,392	1,173,537
Satellites and other property and equipment, net	4,696,123	4,702,063
Goodwill	2,620,627	2,620,627
Non-amortizable intangible assets	2,440,700	2,452,900
Amortizable intangible assets, net	253,425	276,752
Contract assets, net of current portion	57,715	74,109
Other assets	564,434	504,394
Total assets	12,014,416	11,804,382
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	172,271	88,107
Taxes payable	8,223	6,402
Employee related liabilities	35,371	44,648
Accrued interest payable	13,837	308,657
Current portion of long-term debt	5,400,953	0
Contract liabilities	127,879	137,706
Deferred satellite performance incentives	42,337	42,835
Other current liabilities	58,416	62,446
Total current liabilities	5,859,287	690,801
Contract liabilities, net of current portion	1,060,732	1,113,450
Deferred satellite performance incentives, net of current portion	146,559	175,837
Deferred income taxes	63,922	55,171
Accrued retirement benefits, net of current portion	113,258	125,511
Other long-term liabilities	224,728	166,977
Liabilities subject to compromise	10,170,344	0
Shareholders’ deficit:
Common shares, nominal value $0.01 per share	1,421	1,411
Paid-in capital	2,572,324	2,565,696
Accumulated deficit	(8,144,803)	(7,503,830)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(61,191)	(63,135)
Total Intelsat S.A. shareholders’ deficit	(5,632,249)	(4,999,858)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit	12,014,416	$ 11,804,382
Parent Company and Subsidiaries in Debtor-In-Possession Financing
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	880,185
Restricted cash	19,091
Receivables, net of allowance of $24,884	146,096
Contract assets	30,387
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	100,815
Intercompany receivables	187,613
Total current assets	1,364,187
Satellites and other property and equipment, net	4,631,470
Goodwill	2,620,627
Non-amortizable intangible assets	2,440,700
Amortizable intangible assets, net	253,425
Contract assets, net of current portion	40,148
Investment in affiliates	168,251
Other assets	411,348
Total assets	11,930,156
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	163,538
Taxes payable	8,775
Employee related liabilities	31,047
Accrued interest payable	13,837
Current portion of long-term debt	5,400,953
Contract liabilities	125,415
Deferred satellite performance incentives	42,337
Other current liabilities	53,075
Total current liabilities	5,838,977
Contract liabilities, net of current portion	1,042,850
Deferred satellite performance incentives, net of current portion	146,559
Deferred income taxes	63,646
Accrued retirement benefits, net of current portion	113,258
Other long-term liabilities	186,771
Liabilities subject to compromise	10,170,344
Shareholders’ deficit:
Common shares, nominal value $0.01 per share	1,421
Paid-in capital	2,572,324
Accumulated deficit	(8,144,803)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(61,191)
Total Intelsat S.A. shareholders’ deficit	(5,632,249)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit	$ 11,930,156

Condensed Combined Debtors' F_5

Condensed Combined Debtors' Financial Information - Debtors' Unaudited Condensed Combined Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	May 20, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Receivables, allowance	$ 29,838		$ 40,028
Common shares, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Parent Company and Subsidiaries in Debtor-In-Possession Financing
Receivables, allowance	$ 24,884
Common shares, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01

Condensed Combined Debtors' F_6

Condensed Combined Debtors' Financial Information - Debtors' Unaudited Condensed Combined Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Revenue	$ 489,449		$ 506,658	$ 1,430,303	$ 1,544,514
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)	120,267		104,743	331,771	305,595
Selling, general and administrative	69,215		60,750	214,586	168,263
Depreciation and amortization	162,573		161,536	488,235	496,438
Impairment of non-amortizable intangible and other assets	0	$ 34,000	0	46,243	0
Total operating expenses	352,055		327,029	1,080,835	1,351,861
Income from operations	137,394		179,629	349,468	192,653
Interest expense, net	138,075		315,964	678,937	953,246
Other income (expense), net	3,067		(5,115)	8,564	(32,374)
Reorganization items	(36,367)		0	(335,059)	0
Loss before income taxes	(33,981)		(141,450)	(655,964)	(792,967)
Benefit from income taxes	(18,650)		6,248	(17,691)	3,884
Net loss	(15,331)		$ (147,698)	(638,273)	$ (796,851)
Parent Company and Subsidiaries in Debtor-In-Possession Financing
Revenue	473,556			1,314,307
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization)	69,189			200,538
Selling, general and administrative	57,659			181,931
Cost from affiliates	9,785			32,047
Depreciation and amortization	157,442			472,610
Impairment of non-amortizable intangible and other assets	0			46,243
Total operating expenses	294,075			933,369
Income from operations	179,481			380,938
Interest expense, net	137,444			677,124
Equity in loss of affiliates	(40,791)			(41,260)
Other income (expense), net	2,973			15,007
Reorganization items	(36,367)			(335,059)
Loss before income taxes	(32,148)			(657,498)
Benefit from income taxes	(16,217)			(17,441)
Net loss	$ (15,931)			$ (640,057)

Condensed Combined Debtors' F_7

Condensed Combined Debtors' Financial Information - Debtors' Unaudited Condensed Combined Statements of Cash Flow (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (15,331)		$ (147,698)	$ (638,273)	$ (796,851)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	162,573		161,536	488,235	496,438
Provision for doubtful accounts				36,360	13,429
Foreign currency transaction loss				7,330	5,119
Impairment of non-amortizable intangible and other assets	0	$ 34,000	0	46,243	0
Share-based compensation				9,399	10,215
Deferred income taxes				4,720	(1,029)
Amortization of discount, premium, issuance costs and related costs				19,689	31,011
Non-cash reorganization items				196,974	0
Debtor-in-possession financing fees	0			52,182	0
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service credits for retirement benefits				1,976	336
Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments				372	21,104
Unrealized losses on investments and loans held-for-investment				721	36,482
Other non-cash items				0	(82)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables				2,769	(4,015)
Prepaid expenses, contract and other assets				(67,253)	(7,556)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities				60,624	2,933
Accrued interest payable				48,713	(1,076)
Contract liabilities				(62,737)	(17,336)
Accrued retirement benefits				(12,253)	(9,616)
Other long-term liabilities				(1,062)	(4,877)
Net cash provided by operating activities				194,729	163,429
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)				(419,952)	(202,265)
Proceeds from loans held-for-investment				973	0
Other proceeds from satellites				5,625	7,500
Net cash used in investing activities				(418,346)	(214,527)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from debtor-in-possession financing				500,000	0
Debtor-in-possession financing fees				(52,182)	0
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives				(25,428)	(20,991)
Net cash provided by financing activities				417,431	370,816
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash				(4,328)	(2,241)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash				189,486	317,477
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period				830,864	507,157
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period	1,020,350		824,634	1,020,350	824,634
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated Debtors' balance sheet to the total sum of these same amounts shown on the condensed consolidated Debtors' statement of cash flows:
Cash and cash equivalents						$ 1,001,000	$ 810,626
Restricted cash						19,350	20,238
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	1,020,350		$ 824,634	830,864	$ 824,634	1,020,350	830,864
Parent Company and Subsidiaries in Debtor-In-Possession Financing
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	(15,931)			(640,057)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	157,442			472,610
Provision for doubtful accounts				34,465
Foreign currency transaction loss				(801)
Impairment of non-amortizable intangible and other assets	0			46,243
Share-based compensation				9,031
Deferred income taxes				5,470
Amortization of discount, premium, issuance costs and related costs				19,689
Non-cash reorganization items				196,974
Debtor-in-possession financing fees				52,182
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service credits for retirement benefits				1,976
Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments				372
Unrealized losses on investments and loans held-for-investment				721
Equity in loss of affiliates	40,791			41,260
Other non-cash items				(7)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables				12,841
Intercompany receivables				(105,048)
Prepaid expenses, contract and other assets				(81,814)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities				69,812
Accrued interest payable				48,713
Contract liabilities				(66,304)
Accrued retirement benefits				(12,253)
Other long-term liabilities				2,801
Net cash provided by operating activities				108,876
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for satellites and other property and equipment (including capitalized interest)				(414,610)
Dividends from affiliates				28,960
Proceeds from loans held-for-investment				973
Capital contribution to affiliates				(9,005)
Other proceeds from satellites				5,625
Net cash used in investing activities				(388,057)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from debtor-in-possession financing				500,000
Debtor-in-possession financing fees				(52,182)
Principal payments on deferred satellite performance incentives				(25,428)
Net cash provided by financing activities				422,390
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash				754
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash				143,963
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period				755,313
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period	899,276			899,276
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated Debtors' balance sheet to the total sum of these same amounts shown on the condensed consolidated Debtors' statement of cash flows:
Cash and cash equivalents						880,185
Restricted cash						19,091
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 899,276			$ 899,276		$ 899,276	$ 755,313

Uncategorized Items - i-2020093

Label	Element	Value
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]	us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201802Member