Segment information - Capital expenditures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment information
Capital expenditures, property, plant and equipment	$ 221	$ 257	$ 150
Capital expenditures, intangible assets	87	57	56
Capital expenditures	308	314	206
Intersegment eliminations
Segment information
Capital expenditures, property, plant and equipment	53	4	(30)
Capital expenditures, intangible assets	7	(2)
Capital expenditures	60	2	(30)
Earth Intelligence | Operating Segments
Segment information
Capital expenditures, property, plant and equipment	147	237	158
Capital expenditures, intangible assets	79	56	55
Capital expenditures	226	293	213
Space Infrastructure | Operating Segments
Segment information
Capital expenditures, property, plant and equipment	21	16	22
Capital expenditures, intangible assets	1	3	1
Capital expenditures	$ 22	$ 19	$ 23