Income Taxes (Summary of Uncertain Tax Positions Included in Income Tax Provision) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Current (provision) benefit for UTPs	$ (544)	$ 714	$ (277)	$ 395
Deferred benefit (provision) for UTPs	203	(103)	57	(2)
Tax (provision) benefit for UTPs	$ (341)	$ 611	$ (220)	$ 393

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