Income Taxes (Summary of Changes to Company's Liabilities For UTPs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Opening balance - January 1	$ 68,658	$ 69,511
Potential additional interest	675	511
Ending balance	$ 69,333	$ 70,022

This element represents the amount of interest expense accrued during the period for an underpayment of income taxes computed by applying the applicable statutory rate of interest to the difference between a tax position recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken in a tax return of the entity.

No definition available.

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