Net Income (Loss) Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. Common Stockholders - Summary of Basic Calculations of EPS (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders									$ (23,525)	$ (13,287)	$ (4,721)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	71,032	70,997	70,900	70,700	70,546	70,460	70,427	70,238	70,907	70,419	56,684
Diluted number of common shares outstanding	71,032	70,997	70,900	70,700	72,209	71,918	70,427	70,238	70,907	70,419	56,684
Earnings per share:
Basic									$ (0.33)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.08)
Diluted									$ (0.33)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.08)