Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$ 4,264	$ 3,674	$ 8,875	$ 8,767
Gain on disposition of net assets		5,118		5,118
Operating (loss) income	(4,264)	1,444	(8,875)	(3,649)
Interest and investment income	398	395	890	2,461
Interest expense	(29)	(31)	(57)	(59)
Gain on litigation, net		65		4,535
Other expense	(233)	(1,518)	(623)	(3,492)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	(4,128)	355	(8,665)	(204)
Income tax benefit (provision)	5,763	(9,454)	2,541	(11,951)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	1,635	(9,099)	(6,124)	(12,155)
Equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	(11,353)	23,940	(4,484)	70,186
(Loss) income from continuing operations	(9,718)	14,841	(10,608)	58,031
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	4,937	14,785	13,445	39,390
Net (loss) income	(4,781)	29,626	2,837	97,421
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	3	(293)	16	(269)
Net (loss) income attributable to Loral common shareholders	(4,778)	29,333	2,853	97,152
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2,414	1,994	5,211	(5,110)
Comprehensive income attributable to Loral common shareholders	$ (2,364)	$ 31,327	$ 8,064	$ 92,042
Basic
(Loss) income from continuing operations	$ (0.32)	$ 0.48	$ (0.35)	$ 1.89
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 0.16	$ 0.48	$ 0.44	$ 1.28
Net (loss) income	$ (0.16)	$ 0.96	$ 0.09	$ 3.17
Diluted
(Loss) income from continuing operations	$ (0.32)	$ 0.44	$ (0.35)	$ 1.76
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 0.16	$ 0.47	$ 0.44	$ 1.25
Net (loss) income	$ (0.16)	$ 0.91	$ 0.09	$ 3.01
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	30,704	30,698	30,653	30,668
Diluted	30,704	31,143	30,653	31,241