Revenue - Disaggregation of revenue from significant customers (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Revenue
Revenues	$ 439	$ 412	$ 820	$ 843
U.S. Federal Government and agencies
Revenue
Revenues	278	244	542	457
Commercial and other
Revenue
Revenues	161	168	278	386
Operating Segments
Revenue
Revenues	(23)	(32)	(45)	(65)
Intersegment eliminations
Revenue
Revenues	(23)	(32)	(45)	(65)
Intersegment eliminations | Commercial and other
Revenue
Revenues	(23)	(32)	(45)	(65)
Earth intelligence | Operating Segments
Revenue
Revenues	278	263	549	517
Earth intelligence | Operating Segments | U.S. Federal Government and agencies
Revenue
Revenues	203	211	402	401
Earth intelligence | Operating Segments | Commercial and other
Revenue
Revenues	75	52	147	116
Space Infrastructure | Operating Segments
Revenue
Revenues	184	181	316	391
Space Infrastructure | Operating Segments | U.S. Federal Government and agencies
Revenue
Revenues	75	33	140	56
Space Infrastructure | Operating Segments | Commercial and other
Revenue
Revenues	109	148	176	335
Space Infrastructure | Intersegment eliminations
Revenue
Revenues	$ 23	$ 32	$ 45	$ 65