Summary of significant accounting policies - Narratives (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Interest expense
Interest expense	$ 219	$ 200	$ 97
Selling, general and administrative
Research and development
Research and development costs	10	88	$ 62
Prepaid and other current assets
Significant accounting policies
Current deferred contract costs	6	3
Other non-current assets
Significant accounting policies
Non-current deferred contract costs	$ 37	$ 30
EnhancedView contract
Significant accounting policies
Number of performance obligations | item	1
Contractual term	10 years
Period of option		3 years
Direct Access Program
Significant accounting policies
Number of performance obligations | item	2
Space Infrastructure | Other non-current assets
Significant accounting policies
Long term orbital receivables	$ 382	$ 407
Space Infrastructure | Commercial Satellite Contract
Significant accounting policies
Estimated Loss	$ 49