Income Taxes (Summary of Uncertain Tax Positions Included in Income Tax Provision) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Current (provision) benefit for UTPs	$ (480)	$ (675)
Deferred benefit (provision) for UTPs	101	244
Tax (provision) benefit for UTPs	$ (379)	$ (431)

Income tax provision benefit for uncertain tax positions.

No definition available.

Name:	lorl_IncomeTaxProvisionBenefitForUncertainTaxPositions
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration