Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Shareholders' Equity Attributable To Loral [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Nonvoting Common Stock
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 900,949	$ 1,028,263		$ (32,374)	$ (95,873)	$ 900,320	$ 629	$ 209	$ 95
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010								20,925,000	9,506,000
Net income (loss)				126,677			497
Other comprehensive (loss) income					(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		136,494
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			136,494					21,230	9,506
Net income (loss)	72,512			72,742			(230)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	7,496				7,496
Comprehensive income	80,238					80,238
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								154,000
Shares surrendered to fund withholding taxes	(6,301)	(6,301)				(6,301)
Shares surrendered to fund withholding taxes, shares								18,000
Stock based compensation	865	865				865
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 Sep. 30, 2012	$ 604,825	$ 1,010,752	$ (9,592)	$ (250,561)	$ (146,979)	$ 603,929	$ 896	$ 214	$ 95
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2012			154					21,402	9,506