Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Voting Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Non-voting 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 (loss)						117,081			117,081
Comprehensive income (loss)							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 stock based compensation			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
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)					14,242				14,242
Other comprehensive income (loss)						2,389			2,389
Comprehensive income (loss)							16,631		16,631
Exercise of restricted stock units	2		(2)
Exercise of restricted stock units, shares	175,000
Equitable adjustment to restricted stock units for dividends and distributions	1		(1)
Equitable adjustment to restricted stock units for dividends and distributions, shares	120,000
Shares surrendered to fund withholding taxes	(1)		(8,896)				(8,897)		(8,897)
Shares surrendered to fund withholding taxes, shares	(143,000)
Tax benefit associated with stock based compensation			795				795		795
Stock based compensation			417				417		417
Total equity at Sep. 30, 2013									195,407
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 216	$ 95	$ 1,019,579	$ (9,592)	$ (779,886)	$ (35,005)	$ 195,407
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2013	21,569,000	9,506,000
Treasury stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2013				154,000					154,494