Income Taxes (Summary of Uncertain Tax Positions Included in Income Tax Provision) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Current provision for UTPs	$ (319)	$ (447)
Deferred benefit for UTPs	101	139
Tax provision for UTPs	$ (218)	$ (308)

Income tax provision benefit for uncertain tax positions.

No definition available.

Name:	lorl_IncomeTaxProvisionBenefitForUncertainTaxPositions
Namespace Prefix:	lorl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration