Segment information - Capital expenditures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Segment information
Capital expenditures, property, plant and equipment	$ 65	$ 31	$ 108	$ 57
Capital expenditures, intangible assets	22	24	43	48
Capital expenditures	87	55	151	105
Operating Segments | Earth Intelligence
Segment information
Capital expenditures, property, plant and equipment	40	15	68	28
Capital expenditures, intangible assets	21	22	40	42
Capital expenditures	61	37	108	70
Operating Segments | Space Infrastructure.
Segment information
Capital expenditures, property, plant and equipment	3	4	6	8
Capital expenditures	3	4	6	8
Intersegment eliminations
Segment information
Capital expenditures, property, plant and equipment	22	12	34	21
Capital expenditures, intangible assets	1	2	3	6
Capital expenditures	$ 23	$ 14	$ 37	$ 27