| Cover Page Cover Page | Sep. 10, 2019 |
| Cover page. | |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | CO |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Document Period End Date | Sep. 10, 2019 |
| Entity Registrant Name | HUGHES SATELLITE SYSTEMS CORPORATION |
| Entity File Number | 333-179121 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 45-0897865 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 100 INVERNESS TERRACE E., |
| Entity Address, City or Town | ENGLEWOOD, |
| Entity Address, State or Province | CO |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 80112 |
| City Area Code | 303 |
| Local Phone Number | 706-4000 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001533758 |
| Amendment Flag | false |
