Long term debt and interest expense - Interest expense on long term debts and other obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Interest expenses
Interest on long-term debt	$ 171	$ 57	$ 26
Interest expense on advance payments from customers	26	8
Interest on orbital securitization liability	7	8	2
Imputed interest and other	2	3	3
Capitalization of borrowing costs	(7)
Loss on debt extinguishment		23	2
Interest expense on dissenting stockholder liability	3
Total interest expense	$ 202	$ 99	$ 33