Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Paid-In Capital	Treasury Stock Voting	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Shareholders' Equity Attributable to Loral	Noncontrolling Interest	Voting Common Stock	Non-Voting Common Stock
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 900,949	$ 1,028,263	$ 0	$ (32,374)	$ (95,873)	$ 900,320	$ 629	$ 209	$ 95
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010			0					20,925,000	9,506,000
Net income (loss)				126,677			497
Other comprehensive income (loss)					(58,602)
Comprehensive income	68,572					68,075
Exercise of stock options	1,058	1,055				1,058		3
Exercise of stock options, shares								305,000
Shares surrendered to fund withholding taxes	(16,972)	(16,972)				(16,972)
Tax benefit associated with exercise of stock options	1,198	1,198				1,198
Stock based compensation	1,180	1,180				1,180
Voting common stock repurchased	(8,400)		(8,400)			(8,400)
Voting common stock repurchased, shares	136,494		136,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	947,585	1,014,724	(8,400)	94,303	(154,475)	946,459	1,126	212	95
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011			136,000					21,230,000	9,506,000
Net income (loss)	2,837			2,853			(16)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	5,211				5,211
Comprehensive income	8,064					8,064
Common dividends declared ($13.60 per share)	(417,606)			(417,606)		(417,606)
Exercise of stock options	1,635	1,633				1,635		2
Exercise of stock options, shares								142,000
Shares surrendered to fund withholding taxes	(5,796)	(5,796)				(5,796)
Shares surrendered to fund withholding taxes, shares								18,000
Tax benefit associated with exercise of stock options	22	22				22
Stock based compensation	579	579				579
Cash settlement of restricted stock units	(169)	(169)				(169)
Voting common stock repurchased	(1,192)		(1,192)			(1,192)
Voting common stock repurchased, shares	18,000		18,000
Balance at Jun. 30, 2012	$ 533,106	$ 1,010,993	$ (9,592)	$ (320,450)	$ (149,264)	$ 531,996	$ 1,110	$ 214	$ 95
Balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2012			154,000					21,390,000	9,506,000