Overview	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Overview [Abstract]
Overview	1. Overview ORBCOMM Inc. (“ORBCOMM” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, is a global wireless data communications company focused on machine-to-machine (“M2M”) communications. The Company’s services are designed to enable businesses and government agencies to track, monitor, control and communicate with fixed and mobile assets. The Company operates a two-way global wireless data messaging system optimized for narrowband data communication. The Company also provides customers with technology to proactively monitor, manage and remotely control refrigerated transportation assets. This technology enables the Company to expand its global technology platform by transferring capabilities across new and existing vertical markets and deliver complementary products to our channel partners and resellers worldwide. The Company provides these services through a constellation of 27 owned and operated low-Earth orbit satellites and accompanying ground infrastructure, and also provides terrestrial-based cellular communication services through reseller agreements with major cellular wireless providers. The Company’s satellite-based system uses small, low power, fixed or mobile satellite subscriber communicators (“Communicators”) for connectivity, and cellular wireless subscriber identity modules, or SIMS, are connected to the cellular wireless providers’ networks, with data gathered over these systems is capable of being connected to other public or private networks, including the Internet (collectively, the “ORBCOMM System”).

Overview

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

1. Overview

ORBCOMM Inc. (“ORBCOMM” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, is a global wireless data communications company focused on machine-to-machine (“M2M”) communications. The Company’s services are designed to enable businesses and government agencies to track, monitor, control and communicate with fixed and mobile assets. The Company operates a two-way global wireless data messaging system optimized for narrowband data communication. The Company also provides customers with technology to proactively monitor, manage and remotely control refrigerated transportation assets. This technology enables the Company to expand its global technology platform by transferring capabilities across new and existing vertical markets and deliver complementary products to our channel partners and resellers worldwide. The Company provides these services through a constellation of 27 owned and operated low-Earth orbit satellites and accompanying ground infrastructure, and also provides terrestrial-based cellular communication services through reseller agreements with major cellular wireless providers. The Company’s satellite-based system uses small, low power, fixed or mobile satellite subscriber communicators (“Communicators”) for connectivity, and cellular wireless subscriber identity modules, or SIMS, are connected to the cellular wireless providers’ networks, with data gathered over these systems is capable of being connected to other public or private networks, including the Internet (collectively, the “ORBCOMM System”).