Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	15. Commitments and Contingencies *Next-generation satellites* On May 5, 2008, the Company entered into a procurement agreement with Sierra Nevada Corporation (“SNC”) pursuant to which SNC is constructing eighteen low-earth-orbit satellites in three sets of satellites (“shipsets”) for the Company’s next-generation satellites (the “Initial Satellites”). Under the agreement, SNC is also providing launch support services, a test satellite (excluding the mechanical structure), a satellite software simulator and the associated ground support equipment. The total contract price for the Initial Satellites under the procurement agreement is $117,000, subject to reduction upon failure to achieve certain in-orbit operational milestones with respect to the Initial Satellites or if the pre-ship reviews of each shipset are delayed more than 60-120 days after the specified time periods described below. The Company has agreed to pay SNC up to $1,500 in incentive payments for the successful operation of the Initial Satellites five years following the successful completion of in-orbit testing for the third shipset of eight satellites. On August 31, 2010, the Company entered into two additional task order agreements with SNC in connection with the procurement agreement discussed above. Under the terms of the launch vehicle changes task order agreement, SNC will perform the activities to launch eighteen of the Company’s next-generation satellites on a SpaceX Falcon 1e or Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The total price for the launch activities is cost reimbursable up to $4,110 that is cancelable by the Company, less a credit of $1,528. Under the terms of the engineering change requests and enhancements task order agreement, SNC will design and make changes to each of the next-generation satellites in order to accommodate an additional payload-to-bus interface. The total price for the engineering changes requests is cost reimbursable up to $317. Both task order agreements are payable monthly as the services are performed, provided that with respect to the launch vehicle changes task order agreement, the credit in the amount of $1,528 will first be deducted against amounts accrued thereunder until the entire balance is expended. On August 23, 2011, the Company and SNC entered into a definitive First Amendment to the procurement agreement (the “First Amendment”). The First Amendment amends certain terms of the procurement agreement dated May 5, 2008 and supplements or amends five separate task order agreements, dated as of May 20, 2010 (Task Order #1), August 31, 2010 (Task Orders #2 and #3), and December 15, 2010 (Task Orders #4 and #5) (collectively with Task Order #6, the “Task Orders”). On July 3, 2012, the Company and SNC entered into an additional task order agreement (“Task Order #06”) for SNC to perform final design work to enable additional payload components in satellites 3-18 to be re-programmable while in-orbit. The total price for the work under Task Order #6 is cost plus fixed fee of up to $521. In addition, the Company and SNC entered into (i) Task Order #7 on June 24, 2013 for additional work in connection with the thrust vector alignment with respect to the first eight satellites for the firm fixed price of $189; (ii) Task Order #8 on September 10, 2013 for the final design, implementation and testing of the added reprogramability of the payload for the firm fixed price of $1,650; (iii) Task Order #9 on January 14, 2014 for additional work in connection with the thrust vector alignment with respect to the remaining nine satellites for the firm fixed price of $127; and (iv) Task Order #10 on April 18, 2014 for additional software work on a cost plus fixed fee basis estimated at $175. The First Amendment modifies the milestone payment schedule under the procurement agreement dated May 5, 2008 but does not change the total contract price (excluding optional satellites and costs under the Task Orders) of $117,000. Payments under the Amendment extend into the second quarter of 2014, subject to SNC’s successful completion of each payment milestone. The First Amendment also settles the liquidated delay damages triggered under the procurement agreement dated May 5, 2008 and provides an ongoing mechanism for the Company to obtain pricing proposals to order up to thirty optional satellites substantially identical to the Initial Satellites for which firm fixed pricing previously had expired under the procurement agreement dated May 5, 2008. The Company is anticipating $3,900 in total liquidated delay damages will be available to offset milestone and task order payments. On March 20, 2014, the Company and SNC entered into a definitive Second Amendment to the procurement agreement (the “Second Amendment”). The Second Amendment amends certain terms of the procurement agreement dated May 5, 2008, as amended by the First Amendment and supplemented by nine separate Task Orders, dated as of May 20, 2010 (Task Order #1), August 31, 2010 (Task Orders #2 and #3), December 15, 2010 (Task Orders #4 and #5), July 3, 2012 (Task Order # 6), June 24, 2013 (Task Order #7), September 10, 2013 (Task Order #8), and January 14, 2014 (Task Order #9). The Second Amendment modifies the number of satellites in each ship set to reflect the actual number of satellites to be launched in each of the two missions. The Second Amendment also modifies the payment milestone schedule under the First Amendment but does not change the total contract price (excluding optional satellites and costs under the Task Orders) of $117,000. As of March 31, 2014, the Company has made milestone payments of $58,500 to SNC under the procurement agreement. The Company anticipates making payments under the agreement of approximately $47,970 over the next twelve months. On December 21, 2012, the Company and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (“SpaceX”) entered into a Launch Services Agreement (the “Falcon 9 Agreement”) pursuant to which SpaceX will provide launch services (the “Launch Services”) for the carriage into low-Earth-orbit of up to 17 ORBCOMM next-generation satellites currently being constructed by Sierra Nevada Corporation. Under the Falcon 9 Agreement, SpaceX will also provide to the Company satellite-to-launch vehicle integration and launch support services, as well as certain related optional services. The total price under the Falcon 9 Agreement (excluding any optional services) is $42,600 subject to certain adjustments, which reflects pricing agreed under the 2009 agreement for Launch Services discussed below. The amounts due under the Falcon 9 Agreement are payable by the Company in installments from the date of execution of the Falcon 9 Agreement through the performance of each Launch Service. The Falcon 9 Agreement anticipated that the Launch Services for 17 Satellites would be performed by the second quarter of 2014, subject to certain rights of ORBCOMM and SpaceX to reschedule the Launch Services as needed. Either the Company or SpaceX may postpone and reschedule either Launch Service based on satellite and launch vehicle readiness, among other factors, subject to the payment of certain fees by the party requesting or causing the delay following 6 months of delay with respect to either of the two Launch Services. Both the Company and SpaceX have customary termination rights under the Falcon 9 Agreement, including for material breaches and aggregate delays beyond 365 days by the other party. The Company has the right to terminate either of the Launch Services subject to the payment of a termination fee in an amount that would be based on the date ORBCOMM exercises its termination right. As of March 31, 2014, the Company has made milestone payments of $35,145 under the Falcon 9 Agreement. The Company anticipates making payments of approximately $7,455 over the next twelve months. On August 28, 2009, the Company and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (“SpaceX”) entered into a Commercial Launch Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) pursuant to which SpaceX will provide launch services (the “Launch Services”) using multiple SpaceX Falcon 1e launch vehicles for the carriage into low-Earth-orbit for the Company’s 18 next-generation commercial communications satellites currently being constructed by SNC. Under the Agreement, SpaceX will also provide to the Company launch vehicle integration and support services, as well as certain related optional services. The total price under the Agreement (excluding any options or additional launch services) was $46,600, subject to certain adjustments. The amounts due under the Agreement were payable in periodic installments from the date of execution of the Agreement through the performance of each Launch Service. On September 21, 2012, SpaceX and the Company entered into a Secondary Payload Launch Services Agreement totaling $4,000 of the original $46,600 to launch the next-generation prototype which occurred on October 7, 2012. In April, 2014, the Company obtained launch and one year in-orbit insurance for the OG2 satellite program. For the first launch of six satellites, the Company obtained (i) a maximum total of $66,000 of launch plus one year in-orbit insurance coverage; and (ii) $22,000 of launch vehicle flight only insurance coverage. The total premium cost for launch one is $9,953. For the second launch of eleven satellites, the Company obtained (i) a maximum total of $120,000 of launch plus one year in-orbit insurance coverage; and (ii) $22,000 of launch vehicle flight only insurance coverage. The total premium cost for launch two is $16,454. In April, 2014, the Company paid the total premium for launch one and 5% of the total premium for launch two, with the balance of the premium cost for launch two becoming due 30 days prior to the scheduled launch of the second mission. The policy contains a three satellite deductible under the launch portion across both missions plus one year insurance coverage whereby claims are payable in excess of the first three satellites in the aggregate for both launch one and launch two combined that are total losses or constructive total losses. The launch vehicle only coverage requires the loss of all satellites on the applicable mission as a result of the launch vehicle flight in order to collect under that portion of the insurance policy. The policy is also subject to specified exclusions and material change limitations customary in the industry. These exclusions include losses resulting from war, anti-satellite devices, insurrection, terrorist acts, government confiscation, radioactive contamination, electromagnetic interference, loss of revenue and third party liability. *Airtime credits* In 2001, in connection with the organization of ORBCOMM Europe LLC and the reorganization of the ORBCOMM business in Europe, the Company agreed to grant certain country representatives in Europe approximately $3,736 in airtime credits. The Company has not recorded the airtime credits as a liability for the following reasons: (i) the Company has no obligation to pay the unused airtime credits if they are not utilized; and (ii) the airtime credits are earned by the country representatives only when the Company generates revenue from the country representatives. The airtime credits have no expiration date. Accordingly, the Company is recording airtime credits as services are rendered and these airtime credits are recorded net of revenues from the country representatives. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, airtime credits used totaled approximately $8 for each respective quarter. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, unused credits granted by the Company were approximately $2,089 and $2,097, respectively. *Development and Production Agreement* In February 2014, the Company entered into an agreement with a vendor to develop and manufacture products over a 5-year period. Future minimum payments over the term of the agreement total $4,817.

15. Commitments and Contingencies

Next-generation satellites

On May 5, 2008, the Company entered into a procurement agreement with Sierra Nevada Corporation (“SNC”) pursuant to which SNC is constructing eighteen low-earth-orbit satellites in three sets of satellites (“shipsets”) for the Company’s next-generation satellites (the “Initial Satellites”). Under the agreement, SNC is also providing launch support services, a test satellite (excluding the mechanical structure), a satellite software simulator and the associated ground support equipment.

The total contract price for the Initial Satellites under the procurement agreement is $117,000, subject to reduction upon failure to achieve certain in-orbit operational milestones with respect to the Initial Satellites or if the pre-ship reviews of each shipset are delayed more than 60-120 days after the specified time periods described below. The Company has agreed to pay SNC up to $1,500 in incentive payments for the successful operation of the Initial Satellites five years following the successful completion of in-orbit testing for the third shipset of eight satellites.

On August 31, 2010, the Company entered into two additional task order agreements with SNC in connection with the procurement agreement discussed above. Under the terms of the launch vehicle changes task order agreement, SNC will perform the activities to launch eighteen of the Company’s next-generation satellites on a SpaceX Falcon 1e or Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The total price for the launch activities is cost reimbursable up to $4,110 that is cancelable by the Company, less a credit of $1,528. Under the terms of the engineering change requests and enhancements task order agreement, SNC will design and make changes to each of the next-generation satellites in order to accommodate an additional payload-to-bus interface. The total price for the engineering changes requests is cost reimbursable up to $317. Both task order agreements are payable monthly as the services are performed, provided that with respect to the launch vehicle changes task order agreement, the credit in the amount of $1,528 will first be deducted against amounts accrued thereunder until the entire balance is expended.

On August 23, 2011, the Company and SNC entered into a definitive First Amendment to the procurement agreement (the “First Amendment”). The First Amendment amends certain terms of the procurement agreement dated May 5, 2008 and supplements or amends five separate task order agreements, dated as of May 20, 2010 (Task Order #1), August 31, 2010 (Task Orders #2 and #3), and December 15, 2010 (Task Orders #4 and #5) (collectively with Task Order #6, the “Task Orders”). On July 3, 2012, the Company and SNC entered into an additional task order agreement (“Task Order #06”) for SNC to perform final design work to enable additional payload components in satellites 3-18 to be re-programmable while in-orbit. The total price for the work under Task Order #6 is cost plus fixed fee of up to $521. In addition, the Company and SNC entered into (i) Task Order #7 on June 24, 2013 for additional work in connection with the thrust vector alignment with respect to the first eight satellites for the firm fixed price of $189; (ii) Task Order #8 on September 10, 2013 for the final design, implementation and testing of the added reprogramability of the payload for the firm fixed price of $1,650; (iii) Task Order #9 on January 14, 2014 for additional work in connection with the thrust vector alignment with respect to the remaining nine satellites for the firm fixed price of $127; and (iv) Task Order #10 on April 18, 2014 for additional software work on a cost plus fixed fee basis estimated at $175.

The First Amendment modifies the milestone payment schedule under the procurement agreement dated May 5, 2008 but does not change the total contract price (excluding optional satellites and costs under the Task Orders) of $117,000. Payments under the Amendment extend into the second quarter of 2014, subject to SNC’s successful completion of each payment milestone. The First Amendment also settles the liquidated delay damages triggered under the procurement agreement dated May 5, 2008 and provides an ongoing mechanism for the Company to obtain pricing proposals to order up to thirty optional satellites substantially identical to the Initial Satellites for which firm fixed pricing previously had expired under the procurement agreement dated May 5, 2008. The Company is anticipating $3,900 in total liquidated delay damages will be available to offset milestone and task order payments.

On March 20, 2014, the Company and SNC entered into a definitive Second Amendment to the procurement agreement (the “Second Amendment”). The Second Amendment amends certain terms of the procurement agreement dated May 5, 2008, as amended by the First Amendment and supplemented by nine separate Task Orders, dated as of May 20, 2010 (Task Order #1), August 31, 2010 (Task Orders #2 and #3), December 15, 2010 (Task Orders #4 and #5), July 3, 2012 (Task Order # 6), June 24, 2013 (Task Order #7), September 10, 2013 (Task Order #8), and January 14, 2014 (Task Order #9). The Second Amendment modifies the number of satellites in each ship set to reflect the actual number of satellites to be launched in each of the two missions. The Second Amendment also modifies the payment milestone schedule under the First Amendment but does not change the total contract price (excluding optional satellites and costs under the Task Orders) of $117,000.

As of March 31, 2014, the Company has made milestone payments of $58,500 to SNC under the procurement agreement. The Company anticipates making payments under the agreement of approximately $47,970 over the next twelve months.

On December 21, 2012, the Company and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (“SpaceX”) entered into a Launch Services Agreement (the “Falcon 9 Agreement”) pursuant to which SpaceX will provide launch services (the “Launch Services”) for the carriage into low-Earth-orbit of up to 17 ORBCOMM next-generation satellites currently being constructed by Sierra Nevada Corporation. Under the Falcon 9 Agreement, SpaceX will also provide to the Company satellite-to-launch vehicle integration and launch support services, as well as certain related optional services. The total price under the Falcon 9 Agreement (excluding any optional services) is $42,600 subject to certain adjustments, which reflects pricing agreed under the 2009 agreement for Launch Services discussed below. The amounts due under the Falcon 9 Agreement are payable by the Company in installments from the date of execution of the Falcon 9 Agreement through the performance of each Launch Service.

The Falcon 9 Agreement anticipated that the Launch Services for 17 Satellites would be performed by the second quarter of 2014, subject to certain rights of ORBCOMM and SpaceX to reschedule the Launch Services as needed. Either the Company or SpaceX may postpone and reschedule either Launch Service based on satellite and launch vehicle readiness, among other factors, subject to the payment of certain fees by the party requesting or causing the delay following 6 months of delay with respect to either of the two Launch Services.

Both the Company and SpaceX have customary termination rights under the Falcon 9 Agreement, including for material breaches and aggregate delays beyond 365 days by the other party. The Company has the right to terminate either of the Launch Services subject to the payment of a termination fee in an amount that would be based on the date ORBCOMM exercises its termination right.

As of March 31, 2014, the Company has made milestone payments of $35,145 under the Falcon 9 Agreement. The Company anticipates making payments of approximately $7,455 over the next twelve months.

On August 28, 2009, the Company and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (“SpaceX”) entered into a Commercial Launch Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) pursuant to which SpaceX will provide launch services (the “Launch Services”) using multiple SpaceX Falcon 1e launch vehicles for the carriage into low-Earth-orbit for the Company’s 18 next-generation commercial communications satellites currently being constructed by SNC. Under the Agreement, SpaceX will also provide to the Company launch vehicle integration and support services, as well as certain related optional services.

The total price under the Agreement (excluding any options or additional launch services) was $46,600, subject to certain adjustments. The amounts due under the Agreement were payable in periodic installments from the date of execution of the Agreement through the performance of each Launch Service.

On September 21, 2012, SpaceX and the Company entered into a Secondary Payload Launch Services Agreement totaling $4,000 of the original $46,600 to launch the next-generation prototype which occurred on October 7, 2012.

In April, 2014, the Company obtained launch and one year in-orbit insurance for the OG2 satellite program. For the first launch of six satellites, the Company obtained (i) a maximum total of $66,000 of launch plus one year in-orbit insurance coverage; and (ii) $22,000 of launch vehicle flight only insurance coverage. The total premium cost for launch one is $9,953. For the second launch of eleven satellites, the Company obtained (i) a maximum total of $120,000 of launch plus one year in-orbit insurance coverage; and (ii) $22,000 of launch vehicle flight only insurance coverage. The total premium cost for launch two is $16,454. In April, 2014, the Company paid the total premium for launch one and 5% of the total premium for launch two, with the balance of the premium cost for launch two becoming due 30 days prior to the scheduled launch of the second mission.

The policy contains a three satellite deductible under the launch portion across both missions plus one year insurance coverage whereby claims are payable in excess of the first three satellites in the aggregate for both launch one and launch two combined that are total losses or constructive total losses. The launch vehicle only coverage requires the loss of all satellites on the applicable mission as a result of the launch vehicle flight in order to collect under that portion of the insurance policy. The policy is also subject to specified exclusions and material change limitations customary in the industry. These exclusions include losses resulting from war, anti-satellite devices, insurrection, terrorist acts, government confiscation, radioactive contamination, electromagnetic interference, loss of revenue and third party liability.

Airtime credits

In 2001, in connection with the organization of ORBCOMM Europe LLC and the reorganization of the ORBCOMM business in Europe, the Company agreed to grant certain country representatives in Europe approximately $3,736 in airtime credits. The Company has not recorded the airtime credits as a liability for the following reasons: (i) the Company has no obligation to pay the unused airtime credits if they are not utilized; and (ii) the airtime credits are earned by the country representatives only when the Company generates revenue from the country representatives. The airtime credits have no expiration date. Accordingly, the Company is recording airtime credits as services are rendered and these airtime credits are recorded net of revenues from the country representatives. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, airtime credits used totaled approximately $8 for each respective quarter. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, unused credits granted by the Company were approximately $2,089 and $2,097, respectively.

Development and Production Agreement

In February 2014, the Company entered into an agreement with a vendor to develop and manufacture products over a 5-year period. Future minimum payments over the term of the agreement total $4,817.