Segment information - Capital expenditures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment information
Capital expenditures, property, plant and equipment	$ 257	$ 150	$ 43
Capital expenditures, intangible assets	57	56	16
Capital expenditures	314	206	59
Intersegment eliminations
Segment information
Capital expenditures, property, plant and equipment	4	(30)	(10)
Capital expenditures, intangible assets	(2)
Capital expenditures	2	(30)	(10)
Earth Intelligence | Operating Segments
Segment information
Capital expenditures, property, plant and equipment	237	158	16
Capital expenditures, intangible assets	56	55	12
Capital expenditures	293	213	28
Space Infrastructure | Operating Segments
Segment information
Capital expenditures, property, plant and equipment	16	22	37
Capital expenditures, intangible assets	3	1	4
Capital expenditures	$ 19	$ 23	$ 41