Commitments And Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	16. Commitments and Contingencies Financial Matters In the fourth quarter of 2012, we sold our former subsidiary, SS/L, to MDA pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, we are obligated to indemnify MDA from (1) liabilities with respect to certain pre-closing taxes; (2) certain litigation costs and litigation damages relating to the ViaSat lawsuit, subject to certain sharing formulas and caps; and (3) certain breaches of representations, warranties and covenants, subject to certain limitations on survival of claims, deductibles and caps. In March 2013, we and MDA agreed, among other things, to modify SS/L’s capped cost-sharing obligations. To date, other than with respect to sharing of litigation costs (see Legal Proceedings, below), MDA has submitted one claim for indemnification which relates to pre-closing taxes. The amount of this claim has not yet been determined. We intend to vigorously contest the underlying tax assessment, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful. Although no assurance can be provided, we do not believe that this matter will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. Our condensed consolidated balance sheets include liabilities of $14.8 million and $16.5 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, representing the estimated fair value of all potential indemnification liabilities relating to the Sale. In connection with the Sale, Loral has developed a plan for restructuring its corporate functions. Through mid-2013, Loral will reduce the number of employees at its headquarters. In 2012, Loral charged approximately $11.8 million to general and administrative expenses, mainly for severance and related costs, and paid approximately $8.0 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, Loral paid restructuring costs of approximately $0.2 million, and at March 31, 2013, the liability recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheet for the restructuring was $3.6 million which includes all expected future payments under the restructuring plan relating to the Sale. In connection with the sale in 2008 by Loral and certain of its subsidiaries and DASA Globalstar LLC to Globalstar Inc. of their respective interests in Globalstar do Brasil S.A. (“GdB”), the Globalstar Brazilian service provider, Loral agreed to indemnify Globalstar Inc. and GdB for certain GdB pre-closing liabilities, primarily related to Brazilian taxes. As a result of an April 2013 adverse court decision in Brazil relating to a potential tax liability, an adverse outcome for which was previously believed to be remote, Loral recorded a loss contingency of $4.8 million in the first quarter of 2013 for such liability. See Note 17 — Related Party Transactions — Transactions with Affiliates — Telesat for commitments and contingencies relating to our agreement to indemnify Telesat for certain liabilities and our arrangements with ViaSat, Inc. and Telesat. Satellite Matters During the launch of an SS/L-built satellite on June 1, 2012, the satellite’s south solar array was damaged, resulting in a reduction of power available to the satellite’s transponders. SS/L had total orbital receivables related to this satellite of $18 million, which represents the maximum possible loss from this anomaly, excluding the cost of the failure investigation. During the third quarter of 2012, SS/L recorded a charge of $6.5 million to reduce orbital receivables based on the estimated loss of power on the satellite. The write down of SS/L’s orbital receivables as a result of the anomaly also resulted in a $6.5 million payment by Loral to MDA pursuant to the Purchase Agreement relating to the Sale. Any additional reduction in orbital receivables for this satellite prior to November 2, 2013 would result in additional payment by Loral to MDA pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. Legal Proceedings ViaSat ViaSat, Inc. and ViaSat Communications, Inc. (formerly known as WildBlue Communications, Inc.) (collectively, “ViaSat”) have sued SS/L and Loral in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. ViaSat’s amended complaint alleges, among other things, that SS/L and Loral directly and indirectly infringed, that SS/L and Loral induced infringement, and that SS/L contributed to the infringement of, certain ViaSat patents in connection with the manufacture of satellites by SS/L for customers other than ViaSat. The amended complaint also alleges that each of SS/L and Loral breached non-disclosure obligations in certain contracts with ViaSat. ViaSat’s amended complaint seeks, among other things, damages (including treble damages with respect to the patent infringement claims) in amounts to be determined at trial and to enjoin SS/L and Loral from further infringement of the ViaSat patents and breach of contract. SS/L and Loral have answered ViaSat’s complaint and asserted defenses to ViaSat’s claims and counterclaims seeking a declaratory judgment that neither SS/L nor Loral has infringed and that they are not infringing the ViaSat patents, that ViaSat’s patents are invalid and that at least certain of ViaSat’s patents are unenforceable due to inequitable conduct. SS/L has also asserted counterclaims against ViaSat for patent infringement, alleging, among other things, that ViaSat infringed certain SS/L patents in connection with its manufacture and sale of certain satellite communication products and services. SS/L’s counterclaims seek, among other things, damages (including treble damages with respect to at least one of the patent infringement claims) in amounts to be determined at trial and to enjoin ViaSat from further infringement of the SS/L patents. In March 2013, ViaSat renewed its previously denied motion for summary judgment seeking an order declaring that the claims in two of SS/L’s patents are invalid. In April 2013, SS/L and Loral filed a motion seeking an order declaring that certain of the claims in one of ViaSat’s patents are invalid as indefinite or, in the alternative, summary judgment of non-infringement of such claims. These motions are pending before the court. We believe that each of SS/L and Loral has, and we intend vigorously to pursue, meritorious defenses and counterclaims to ViaSat’s claims. There can be no assurance, however, that SS/L’s and Loral’s defenses and counterclaims will be successful with respect to all or some of ViaSat’s claims or that SS/L will prevail with respect to its assertion that ViaSat has infringed SS/L patents. We believe that SS/L’s and Loral’s conduct was consistent with, and in due regard for, any applicable and valid intellectual property rights of ViaSat. Although no assurance can be provided, we do not believe that this matter will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, as amended, Loral is obligated to indemnify SS/L for certain litigation costs and litigation damages, subject to certain capped cost-sharing by SS/L, and has retained control of the defense of the lawsuit by ViaSat against SS/L and Loral as well as SS/L’s counterclaims against ViaSat in the lawsuit. Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, following a change of control of Loral, the liability of Loral for certain litigation costs and litigation damages is subject to a dollar cap. Other Litigation Other than the litigation with ViaSat discussed above, we are not currently subject to any other legal proceedings. In the future, however, we may become subject to other legal proceedings and claims, either asserted or unasserted, that may arise in the ordinary course of business.

16. Commitments and Contingencies

Financial Matters

In the fourth quarter of 2012, we sold our former subsidiary, SS/L, to MDA pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, we are obligated to indemnify MDA from (1) liabilities with respect to certain pre-closing taxes; (2) certain litigation costs and litigation damages relating to the ViaSat lawsuit, subject to certain sharing formulas and caps; and (3) certain breaches of representations, warranties and covenants, subject to certain limitations on survival of claims, deductibles and caps. In March 2013, we and MDA agreed, among other things, to modify SS/L’s capped cost-sharing obligations. To date, other than with respect to sharing of litigation costs (see Legal Proceedings, below), MDA has submitted one claim for indemnification which relates to pre-closing taxes. The amount of this claim has not yet been determined. We intend to vigorously contest the underlying tax assessment, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful. Although no assurance can be provided, we do not believe that this matter will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. Our condensed consolidated balance sheets include liabilities of $14.8 million and $16.5 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, representing the estimated fair value of all potential indemnification liabilities relating to the Sale.

In connection with the Sale, Loral has developed a plan for restructuring its corporate functions. Through mid-2013, Loral will reduce the number of employees at its headquarters. In 2012, Loral charged approximately $11.8 million to general and administrative expenses, mainly for severance and related costs, and paid approximately $8.0 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, Loral paid restructuring costs of approximately $0.2 million, and at March 31, 2013, the liability recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheet for the restructuring was $3.6 million which includes all expected future payments under the restructuring plan relating to the Sale.

In connection with the sale in 2008 by Loral and certain of its subsidiaries and DASA Globalstar LLC to Globalstar Inc. of their respective interests in Globalstar do Brasil S.A. (“GdB”), the Globalstar Brazilian service provider, Loral agreed to indemnify Globalstar Inc. and GdB for certain GdB pre-closing liabilities, primarily related to Brazilian taxes. As a result of an April 2013 adverse court decision in Brazil relating to a potential tax liability, an adverse outcome for which was previously believed to be remote, Loral recorded a loss contingency of $4.8 million in the first quarter of 2013 for such liability.

See Note 17 — Related Party Transactions — Transactions with Affiliates — Telesat for commitments and contingencies relating to our agreement to indemnify Telesat for certain liabilities and our arrangements with ViaSat, Inc. and Telesat.

Satellite Matters

During the launch of an SS/L-built satellite on June 1, 2012, the satellite’s south solar array was damaged, resulting in a reduction of power available to the satellite’s transponders. SS/L had total orbital receivables related to this satellite of $18 million, which represents the maximum possible loss from this anomaly, excluding the cost of the failure investigation. During the third quarter of 2012, SS/L recorded a charge of $6.5 million to reduce orbital receivables based on the estimated loss of power on the satellite. The write down of SS/L’s orbital receivables as a result of the anomaly also resulted in a $6.5 million payment by Loral to MDA pursuant to the Purchase Agreement relating to the Sale. Any additional reduction in orbital receivables for this satellite prior to November 2, 2013 would result in additional payment by Loral to MDA pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

Legal Proceedings

ViaSat

ViaSat, Inc. and ViaSat Communications, Inc. (formerly known as WildBlue Communications, Inc.) (collectively, “ViaSat”) have sued SS/L and Loral in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. ViaSat’s amended complaint alleges, among other things, that SS/L and Loral directly and indirectly infringed, that SS/L and Loral induced infringement, and that SS/L contributed to the infringement of, certain ViaSat patents in connection with the manufacture of satellites by SS/L for customers other than ViaSat. The amended complaint also alleges that each of SS/L and Loral breached non-disclosure obligations in certain contracts with ViaSat. ViaSat’s amended complaint seeks, among other things, damages (including treble damages with respect to the patent infringement claims) in amounts to be determined at trial and to enjoin SS/L and Loral from further infringement of the ViaSat patents and breach of contract.

SS/L and Loral have answered ViaSat’s complaint and asserted defenses to ViaSat’s claims and counterclaims seeking a declaratory judgment that neither SS/L nor Loral has infringed and that they are not infringing the ViaSat patents, that ViaSat’s patents are invalid and that at least certain of ViaSat’s patents are unenforceable due to inequitable conduct. SS/L has also asserted counterclaims against ViaSat for patent infringement, alleging, among other things, that ViaSat infringed certain SS/L patents in connection with its manufacture and sale of certain satellite communication products and services. SS/L’s counterclaims seek, among other things, damages (including treble damages with respect to at least one of the patent infringement claims) in amounts to be determined at trial and to enjoin ViaSat from further infringement of the SS/L patents.

In March 2013, ViaSat renewed its previously denied motion for summary judgment seeking an order declaring that the claims in two of SS/L’s patents are invalid. In April 2013, SS/L and Loral filed a motion seeking an order declaring that certain of the claims in one of ViaSat’s patents are invalid as indefinite or, in the alternative, summary judgment of non-infringement of such claims. These motions are pending before the court.

We believe that each of SS/L and Loral has, and we intend vigorously to pursue, meritorious defenses and counterclaims to ViaSat’s claims. There can be no assurance, however, that SS/L’s and Loral’s defenses and counterclaims will be successful with respect to all or some of ViaSat’s claims or that SS/L will prevail with respect to its assertion that ViaSat has infringed SS/L patents. We believe that SS/L’s and Loral’s conduct was consistent with, and in due regard for, any applicable and valid intellectual property rights of ViaSat. Although no assurance can be provided, we do not believe that this matter will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, as amended, Loral is obligated to indemnify SS/L for certain litigation costs and litigation damages, subject to certain capped cost-sharing by SS/L, and has retained control of the defense of the lawsuit by ViaSat against SS/L and Loral as well as SS/L’s counterclaims against ViaSat in the lawsuit. Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, following a change of control of Loral, the liability of Loral for certain litigation costs and litigation damages is subject to a dollar cap.

Other Litigation

Other than the litigation with ViaSat discussed above, we are not currently subject to any other legal proceedings. In the future, however, we may become subject to other legal proceedings and claims, either asserted or unasserted, that may arise in the ordinary course of business.