Segment information - Capital expenditures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Segment information
Capital expenditures, property, plant and equipment	$ 44	$ 41	$ 88	$ 97
Capital expenditures, intangible assets	24	13	40	27
Capital expenditures	68	54	128	124
Intersegment eliminations
Segment information
Capital expenditures, property, plant and equipment	11	(13)	18	(12)
Capital expenditures, intangible assets	4	(1)	4
Capital expenditures	15	(14)	22	(12)
Earth Intelligence | Operating Segments
Segment information
Capital expenditures, property, plant and equipment	28	51	62	101
Capital expenditures, intangible assets	20	13	36	26
Capital expenditures	48	64	98	127
Space Infrastructure | Operating Segments
Segment information
Capital expenditures, property, plant and equipment	5	3	8	8
Capital expenditures, intangible assets		1		1
Capital expenditures	$ 5	$ 4	$ 8	$ 9