Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 268,845	$ 323,438	$ 801,166	$ 832,314
Cost of revenues	226,579	263,405	671,784	710,483
Selling, general and administrative expenses	27,895	20,412	70,988	61,022
Gain on disposition of net assets			(6,913)
Directors' indemnification expense				14,357
Operating income	14,371	39,621	65,307	46,452
Interest and investment income	4,494	3,602	16,786	9,714
Interest expense	(680)	(593)	(1,989)	(1,797)
Gain on litigation, net			4,535
Other expense	(996)	(1,168)	(4,433)	(256)
Income before income taxes and equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	17,189	41,462	80,206	54,113
Income tax provision	(17,225)	(9,081)	(53,007)	(12,242)
(Loss) income before equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	(36)	32,381	27,199	41,871
Equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	(77,262)	40,011	(7,076)	40,229
Net (loss) income	(77,298)	72,392	20,123	82,100
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(70)		(339)
Net (loss) income attributable to Loral	$ (77,368)	$ 72,392	$ 19,784	$ 82,100
Net (loss) income per share attributable to Loral common shareholders:
Basic	$ (2.52)	$ 2.40	$ 0.64	$ 2.74
Diluted	$ (2.52)	$ 2.29	$ 0.63	$ 2.63
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	30,706	30,206	30,680	30,017
Diluted	30,706	31,204	31,195	30,777