Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	$ (12,999)	$ (4,525)	$ 4,759
Other comprehensive loss — Foreign currency translation adjustments	(529)	(728)	(437)
Other comprehensive (loss)	(529)	(728)	(437)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(13,528)	(5,253)	4,322
Less comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(314)	(248)	(121)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	$ (13,842)	$ (5,501)	$ 4,201

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51831270

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51831223

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), attributable to noncontrolling interests. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

+ References

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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