Income Taxes (Summary of Uncertain Tax Positions Included in Income Tax Provision) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Current (provision) benefit for UTPs	$ (627)	$ (544)	$ (1,138)	$ (277)
Deferred benefit (provision) for UTPs	320	203	512	57
Tax (provision) benefit for UTPs	$ (307)	$ (341)	$ (626)	$ (220)

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