Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Allowances for doubtful accounts	$ 270	$ 557
ORBCOMM Inc. stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	184,455	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	184,455	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	45,668,527	42,616,950
Common stock, shares outstanding	45,668,527	42,616,950