Income Taxes (Summary of Uncertain Tax Positions Included in Income Tax Provision) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Current benefit (provision) for UTPs	$ 714	$ (224)	$ 395	$ (671)
Deferred (provision) benefit for UTPs	(103)	102	(2)	241
Deferred (provision) benefit for UTPs	$ 611	$ (122)	$ 393	$ (430)

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