Quarterly Financial Data - Quarterly Results of Operations (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
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 46,832	$ 46,288	$ 50,064	$ 43,560	$ 44,996	$ 46,084	$ 44,883	$ 42,330	$ 186,744	$ 178,293	$ 96,242
(Loss) income from operations	(704)	(12,053)	(1,615)	(114)	2,435	3,193	(11,566)	(1,277)	(14,486)	(7,215)	(1,606)
Net (loss) income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	$ (3,205)	$ (14,041)	$ (4,169)	$ (2,096)	$ 239	$ 1,591	$ (12,208)	$ (2,873)	$ (23,511)	$ (13,251)	$ (4,684)
Net (loss) income per common share-basic:
Net (loss) income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	$ (0.05)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ (0.17)	$ (0.04)
Net (loss) income per common share-diluted
Net (loss) income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	$ (0.05)	$ (0.20)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ (0.17)	$ (0.04)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	71,032	70,997	70,900	70,700	70,546	70,460	70,427	70,238	70,907	70,419	56,684
Diluted	71,032	70,997	70,900	70,700	72,209	71,918	70,427	70,238	70,907	70,419	56,684