Long term debt and interest expense - Interest expense on long term debts and other obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Interest expenses
Interest on long-term debt	$ 194	$ 171	$ 57
Interest expense on advance payments from customers	15	26	8
Interest on orbital securitization liability	7	7	8
Imputed interest and other			1
Capitalized interest	(19)	(7)
Loss on debt extinguishment	22		23
Interest expense on dissenting stockholder liability		3
Total interest expense	$ 219	$ 200	$ 97