Consolidated Statements Of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Voting Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Nonvoting Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Paid-In Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Shareholders' Equity Attributable To Loral [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Total equity at Dec. 31, 2009									$ 431,991
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	204	95	1,013,790		(519,220)	(62,878)	431,991
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2009	20,391,000	9,506,000
Net income (loss)					486,846			495	487,341
Other comprehensive (loss) income						(32,995)			(32,995)
Comprehensive income							453,851		453,851
Comprehensive income including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest									454,346
Exercise of stock options	5		13,990				13,995		13,995
Exercise of stock options, shares	547,000
Shares surrendered to fund withholding taxes			(2,477)				(2,477)		(2,477)
Shares surrendered to fund withholding taxes, shares	(13,000)
Tax benefit associated with exercise of stock options			412				412		412
Stock based compensation			2,548				2,548		2,548
Contribution by noncontrolling interest								134	134
Total equity at Dec. 31, 2010									900,949
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	209	95	1,028,263		(32,374)	(95,873)	900,320	629
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010	20,925,000	9,506,000
Treasury stock, shares				136,000					136,494
Net income (loss)					126,677			497	127,174
Other comprehensive (loss) income						(58,602)			(58,602)
Comprehensive income							68,075		68,075
Comprehensive income including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest									68,572
Exercise of stock options	3		1,055				1,058		1,058
Exercise of stock options, shares	305,000
Shares surrendered to fund withholding taxes			(16,972)				(16,972)		(16,972)
Tax benefit associated with exercise of stock options			1,198				1,198		1,198
Stock based compensation			1,180				1,180		1,180
Voting common stock repurchased				(8,400)			(8,400)		(8,400)
Voting common stock repurchased, shares				136,000					136,494
Total equity at Dec. 31, 2011									947,585
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	212	95	1,014,724	(8,400)	94,303	(154,475)	946,459	1,126	946,459
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	21,230,000	9,506,000
Treasury stock, shares				154,000					154,494
Net income (loss)					421,322			(231)	421,091
Other comprehensive (loss) income						117,081			117,081
Comprehensive income							538,403		538,403
Comprehensive income including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest									538,172
Sale of noncontrolling interest								(895)	(895)
Common dividends declared ($13.60 per share)					(417,606)		(417,606)		(417,606)
Special distribution declared ($29.00 per share)					(892,147)		(892,147)		(892,147)
Exercise of stock options	2		1,633				1,635		1,635
Exercise of stock options, shares	169,000								(361,000)
Shares surrendered to fund withholding taxes			(6,992)				(6,992)		(6,992)
Shares surrendered to fund withholding taxes, shares	18,000
Tax benefit associated with exercise of stock options			16,919				16,919		16,919
Stock based compensation			1,151				1,151		1,151
Cash settlement of restricted stock units			(169)				(169)		(169)
Voting common stock repurchased				(1,192)			(1,192)		(1,192)
Voting common stock repurchased, shares				18,000					18,000
Total equity at Dec. 31, 2012									186,461
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 214	$ 95	$ 1,027,266	$ (9,592)	$ (794,128)	$ (37,394)	$ 186,461		$ 186,461
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	21,417,000	9,506,000