Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$ (28,774)		$ (18,345)		$ (19,472)
Gain on disposition of net assets			5,118	[1],[2]
Director's indemnification expense					(6,857)	[1],[2],[3]
Operating loss	(28,774)	[1],[3]	(13,227)	[1],[3]	(26,329)	[1],[3]
Interest and investment income	1,928		3,143		1,251
Interest expense	(106)		(122)		(185)
Gain on litigation, net			4,535		5,000
Other expense	(261)		(6,675)		(2,918)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates	(27,213)		(12,346)		(23,181)
Income tax benefit (provision)	93,315		(41,375)		325,145
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in net income of affiliates	66,102		(53,721)		301,964
Equity in net income of affiliates	34,340		106,329		85,625
Income from continuing operations	100,442		52,608		387,589
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax provision	320,649		74,566		99,752
Net income	421,091		127,174		487,341
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	231		(497)		(495)
Net income attributable to Loral common shareholders	$ 421,322		$ 126,677		$ 486,846
Basic
(Loss) income from continuing operations	$ 3.27		$ 1.72		$ 12.88
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 10.45		$ 2.41		$ 3.30
Net income	$ 13.72		$ 4.13		$ 16.18
Diluted
(Loss) income from continuing operations	$ 3.22		$ 1.54		$ 12.42
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 10.35		$ 2.38		$ 3.21
Net income	$ 13.57		$ 3.92		$ 15.63
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	30,703		30,680		30,085
Diluted	30,991		31,166		30,887

[1] 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.

[2] Represents the gain included in continuing operations on the sale of Loral’s portion of the payload on the ViaSat-1 satellite and related net assets to Telesat adjusted for elimination of Loral’s ownership interest in Telesat (see Note 19).

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