Segment information - Operating performance (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) segment	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Segment information
Number of reportable segments \| segment	3
Total revenues	$ 504	$ 557
Depreciation and amortization	(98)	(111)
Corporate and other unallocated expenses	(18)	(13)
Restructuring Charges	20
Acquisition and integration related expense	(4)	(4)
Inventory impairment	(3)
CEO severance	(3)
Interest expense, net	(49)	(53)
Equity loss from joint ventures, net of tax	1
(Loss) before taxes	(59)	(17)
Operating Segments \| Space Systems
Segment information
Total revenues	274	293
Adjusted EBITDA	10	28
Operating Segments \| Imagery
Segment information
Total revenues	200	211
Adjusted EBITDA	121	134
Operating Segments \| Services
Segment information
Total revenues	68	70
Adjusted EBITDA	7	4
Intersegment eliminations
Segment information
Total revenues	(38)	(17)
Adjusted EBITDA	(3)	(2)
Intersegment eliminations \| Space Systems
Segment information
Total revenues	35	14
Intersegment eliminations \| Imagery
Segment information
Total revenues	1	1
Intersegment eliminations \| Services
Segment information
Total revenues	$ 2	$ 2

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