Condensed 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, 2011									$ 947,585
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	212	95	1,014,724	(8,400)	94,303	(154,475)	946,459	1,126
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	21,230,000	9,506,000
Treasury stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2011				136,000
Net income (loss)					421,322			(231)
Other comprehensive income						117,081			117,081
Comprehensive income							538,403		538,172
Elimination of noncontrolling interest resulting from the Sale								(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
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)
Shares Repurchased				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
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	21,417,000	9,506,000
Treasury stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2012				154,000					154,494
Net income (loss)					(13,464)				(13,464)
Other comprehensive income						1,372			1,372
Comprehensive income							(12,092)		(12,092)
Stock based compensation			263				263		263
Total equity at Mar. 31, 2013									174,632
Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 214	$ 95	$ 1,027,529	$ (9,592)	$ (807,592)	$ (36,022)	$ 174,632
Balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2013	21,417,000	9,506,000
Treasury stock, shares at Mar. 31, 2013				154,000					154,494