Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Loral shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued
Preferred stock, shares outstanding
Common Stock Voting Shares Issued
Common Stock:
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	21,205,994	20,924,874
Common stock, shares outstanding	21,205,994	20,924,874
Common Stock Non-Voting Shares Issued
Common Stock:
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	9,505,673	9,505,673
Common stock, shares outstanding	9,505,673	9,505,673