Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Operating income	$ (9,583)		$ (10,316)		$ (4,264)		$ (4,611)		$ (5,502)	[1]	$ (4,076)	[1]	$ 1,444	[1]	$ (5,093)	[1]	$ (28,774)	[2],[3]	$ (13,227)	[2],[3]	$ (26,329)	[2],[3]
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income (losses) of affiliates	(5,750)		(12,798)		(4,128)		(4,537)		(7,277)	[1]	(4,865)	[1]	355	[1]	(559)	[1]	(27,213)		(12,346)		(23,181)
Equity in net income of affiliates	(2,762)		41,586		(11,353)		6,869		113,405	[1]	(77,262)	[1]	23,940	[1]	46,246	[1]	34,340		106,329		85,625
Income (loss) from continuing operations	45,646		65,404		(9,718)		(890)		92,132	[1]	(97,555)	[1]	14,841	[1]	43,190	[1]	100,442		52,608		387,589
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax provision	302,933		4,271		4,937		8,508		14,919	[1]	20,257	[1]	14,785	[1]	24,605	[1]	320,649		74,566		99,752
Net income (loss)	348,579		69,675		(4,781)		7,618		107,051	[1]	(77,298)	[1]	29,626	[1]	67,795	[1]	421,091		127,174		487,341
Net income (loss) attributable to Loral common shareholders	$ 348,580		$ 69,889		$ (4,778)		$ 7,631		$ 106,893	[1],[4]	$ (77,368)	[1],[4]	$ 29,333	[1],[4]	$ 67,819	[1],[4]
Basic income (loss) per share from continuing operations	$ 1.48	[4]	$ 2.13	[4]	$ (0.32)	[4]	$ (0.03)	[4]	$ 3.00	[1],[4]	$ (3.18)	[1],[4]	$ 0.48	[1],[4]	$ 1.41	[1],[4]	$ 3.27		$ 1.72		$ 12.88
Basic income (loss) per share from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 9.85	[4]	$ 0.14	[4]	$ 0.16	[4]	$ 0.28	[4]	$ 0.48	[1],[4]	$ 0.66	[1],[4]	$ 0.48	[1],[4]	$ 0.80	[1],[4]	$ 10.45		$ 2.41		$ 3.30
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 9.85	[4]	$ 0.14	[4]	$ 0.16	[4]	$ 0.28	[4]	$ 0.48	[1],[4]	$ 0.66	[1],[4]	$ 0.48	[1],[4]	$ 0.80	[1],[4]	$ 10.45		$ 2.41		$ 3.30
Basic income (loss) per share	$ 11.33	[4]	$ 2.27	[4]	$ (0.16)	[4]	$ 0.25	[4]	$ 3.48	[1]	$ (2.52)	[1]	$ 0.96	[1]	$ 2.21	[1]	$ 13.72		$ 4.13		$ 16.18
Diluted income (loss) per share from continuing operations	$ 1.46	[4]	$ 2.05	[4]	$ (0.32)	[4]	$ (0.03)	[4]	$ 2.80	[1]	$ (3.18)	[1]	$ 0.44	[1]	$ 1.32	[1]	$ 3.22		$ 1.54		$ 12.42
Diluted income (loss) per share from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 9.76		$ 0.14		$ 0.16		$ 0.28		$ 0.48	[1]	$ 0.66	[1]	$ 0.47	[1]	$ 0.78	[1]	$ 10.35		$ 2.38		$ 3.21
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 9.76		$ 0.14		$ 0.16		$ 0.28		$ 0.48	[1]	$ 0.66	[1]	$ 0.47	[1]	$ 0.78	[1]	$ 10.35		$ 2.38		$ 3.21
Diluted income (loss) per share	$ 11.22		$ 2.19		$ (0.16)		$ 0.25		$ 3.28	[1]	$ (2.52)	[1]	$ 0.91	[1]	$ 2.10	[1]	$ 13.57		$ 3.92		$ 15.63

[1] As a result of the Sale of SS/L on November 2, 2012, our 2011 selected quarterly financial information has been restated to reflect SS/L as a discontinued operation.

[2] Compensation expense related to SS/L Phantom SARs and restricted stock units paid in cash or expected to be paid in cash is included in Adjusted EBITDA. Compensation expense related to SS/L Phantom SARs and restricted stock units paid in Loral common stock or expected to be paid in Loral common stock is included in depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation.

[3] Represents indemnification expense, net of insurance recovery, in connection with defense costs incurred by MHR affiliated directors in the Delaware shareholder derivative case.

[4] The quarterly earnings per share information is computed separately for each period. Therefore, the sum of such quarterly per share amounts may differ from the total for the year.