Common Stock Special Distributions Per Share Declared

No definition available.

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- Definition

Special Distribution declared on common stock

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lorl_SpecialDistributionCommonStockDeclared
Namespace Prefix:	lorl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Special Distribution Date To Be Paid Day Month Year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lorl_SpecialDistributionDateToBePaidDayMonthYear
Namespace Prefix:	lorl_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date the holder must own the stock to be entitled to the special distribution, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lorl_SpecialDistributionPayableDateOfRecordDayMonthAndYear
Namespace Prefix:	lorl_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Equitable adjustment to stock options outstanding as a result of special dividend distribution.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lorl_StockOptionsOutstandingEquitableAdjustmentSpecialDividendDistribution
Namespace Prefix:	lorl_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date the declared dividend will be paid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DividendPayableDateToBePaidDayMonthAndYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of paid and unpaid common stock dividends declared with the form of settlement in cash.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The per share amount of a dividend declared, but not paid, as of the financial reporting date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DividendsPayableAmountPerShare
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Date the holder must own the stock to be entitled to the dividend, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DividendsPayableDateOfRecordDayMonthAndYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of restricted shares issued as compensation, net of shares for the payment of withholding taxes. This element is to be used only if shares are used in lieu of cash to satisfy all or a portion of withholding taxes.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedStockSharesIssuedNetOfSharesForTaxWithholdings
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

For net-share settlement of share-based awards when the employer settles employees' income tax withholding obligations, this element represents the number of shares the employees use to repay the employer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gross number of shares (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Shares issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gross value of stock (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Stock issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of shares authorized to be repurchased by an entity's Board of Directors under a stock repurchase plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total cost of shares repurchased divided by the total number of shares repurchased.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6405813&loc=d3e23239-112655

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of common and preferred shares that were previously issued and that were repurchased by the issuing entity and held in treasury on the financial statement date. This stock has no voting rights and receives no dividends.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.28,29)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 29, 30

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount allocated to treasury stock. Treasury stock is common and preferred shares of an entity that were issued, repurchased by the entity, and are held in its treasury.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6405834&loc=d3e23315-112656

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
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- Details

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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis=lorl_ProgramDateNovember2011Member
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Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 07, 2012	Mar. 28, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividends per share		$ 13.60us-gaap_DividendsPayableAmountPerShare
Common dividends declared ($13.60 per share)		$ 417,600,000us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash	$ 417,606,000us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash
Dividends payable date		Apr. 20, 2012
Dividend payable record date		Apr. 10, 2012
Special distribution declared per share	$ 29.00		$ 29.00
Aggregate special distribution	892,100,000
Special distribution paid date	Dec. 04, 2012
Special distribution record date	Nov. 19, 2012
Treasury stock, shares				154,494us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares		154,494us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares
Treasury stock				9,592,000us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue		9,592,000us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue
Program Date November 2011 [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Voting common stock repurchased, authorized shares, maximum				800,000
Treasury stock, shares				154,494
Average cost per share				$ 62.04
Special Distribution [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock, shares issued net of shares for tax withholdings					41,300
Shares surrendered to fund withholding taxes, shares					40,033
Equitable adjustment to restricted stock units for dividends and distributions					5,100,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Vested					175,000
Restricted stock, shares issued net of shares for tax withholdings					91,204
Shares surrendered to fund withholding taxes, shares					83,796
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] \| Special Dividend [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock, shares issued net of shares for tax withholdings					19,368
Shares surrendered to fund withholding taxes, shares					18,774
Equitable adjustment to stock options outstanding		19,058
Equitable adjustment to restricted stock units for dividends and distributions, shares		6,875
Equitable adjustment to restricted stock units for dividends and distributions					$ 2,400,000