Acquisitions - Summary of Supplemental Pro Forma Results of GlobalTrak and LMS (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 19,240	$ 19,693	$ 18,559	$ 16,720	$ 16,206	$ 16,094	$ 16,319	$ 15,879	$ 4,982	$ 74,212	$ 64,498	$ 46,306
Net Income (loss) Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.									(229)	4,540	8,673	(45)
Net Income (loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders									(229)
GlobalTrak [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues										74,876
Net Income (loss) Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.										4,134
Net Income (loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders										4,075
GlobalTrak and LMS [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues											65,876
Net Income (loss) Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.											6,611
Net Income (loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders											6,542
LMS and StarTrak [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues												58,337
Net Income (loss) Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.												(2,375)
Net Income (loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders												$ (2,447)