Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
General and administrative expenses	$ (3,747)	$ (4,611)
Operating loss	(3,747)	(4,611)
Interest and investment income	289	492
Interest expense	(3)	(28)
Other expense	(30)	(390)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	(3,491)	(4,537)
Income tax provision	(2,815)	(3,222)
Loss from continuing operations before equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	(6,306)	(7,759)
Equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	(7,281)	6,869
Loss from continuing operations	(13,587)	(890)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax provision	123	8,508
Net (loss) income	(13,464)	7,618
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		13
Net (loss) income attributable to Loral common shareholders	(13,464)	7,631
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,372	2,797
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Loral common shareholders	$ (12,092)	$ 10,428
Basic
Loss from continuing operations	$ (0.44)	$ (0.03)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		$ 0.28
Net (loss) income	$ (0.44)	$ 0.25
Diluted
Loss from continuing operations	$ (0.44)	$ (0.03)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		$ 0.28
Net (loss) income	$ (0.44)	$ 0.25
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	30,768	30,602
Diluted	30,768	30,602