Research and Development (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010 | Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2010 | |
| Research and Development [Abstract] | |||||
| Research and development expenses | $ 26,681,000 | $ 35,367,000 | $ 67,248,000 | $ 95,798,000 | |
COTS Agreement - Cost-Sharing Arrangement Terms with NASA [Member] | |||||
| Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items] | |||||
| Aggregate cash milestone payments to partially fund project costs | 288,000,000 | 288,000,000 | |||
| Estimated total project costs | 458,000,000 | 458,000,000 | |||
| Deferred revenue and customer advances | 26,900,000 | 26,900,000 | 25,200,000 | ||
| Research and development costs incurred | 36,800,000 | 39,900,000 | 115,100,000 | 107,000,000 | |
| Less - amounts funded by NASA | 23,000,000 | 19,000,000 | 82,300,000 | 52,100,000 | |
| Net research and development expenses | 13,800,000 | 20,900,000 | 32,800,000 | 54,900,000 | |
| Research and development costs incurred, inception to date | 374,300,000 | 374,300,000 | |||
| Less - amounts funded by NASA, inception to date | 234,600,000 | 234,600,000 | |||
| Net research and development expenses, inception to date | 139,700,000 | 139,700,000 | |||
Taurus II Development Program [Member] | |||||
| Research and Development [Abstract] | |||||
| Research and development expenses | $ 9,000,000 | $ 12,300,000 | $ 24,200,000 | $ 35,400,000 | |