Income Taxes (Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ (1,118)	$ (2,467)
Interest income (expense)	(1,299)	(1,570)
Total	$ (2,417)	$ (4,037)

The total increases and decreases to income tax liability, interest expense and penalties expense computed by applying the applicable statutory rates for tax, interest and penalties 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_TotalIncomeTaxInterestAndPenaltiesExpenseOnUncertainTaxPositions
Namespace Prefix:	lorl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration