Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 270,607	$ 247,880	$ 186,744
Total revenues	276,140	254,220	186,744
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	66,988	55,753	46,915
Product development	13,405	8,941	6,252
Impairment charges - satellite network		31,224	10,680
Depreciation and amortization	49,684	45,681	42,803
Acquisition-related and integration costs	1,624	3,315	1,630
Loss from operations	(2,189)	(40,882)	(14,486)
Other (expense) income:
Interest income	1,918	959	378
Other income (expense)	45	(160)	484
Interest expense	(21,055)	(17,653)	(9,085)
Loss on debt extinguishment		(3,868)
Total other expense	(19,092)	(20,722)	(8,223)
Loss before income taxes	(21,281)	(61,604)	(22,709)
Income taxes	4,658	(409)	517
Net loss	(25,939)	(61,195)	(23,226)
Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	305	89	285
Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	(26,244)	(61,284)	(23,511)
Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders	$ (26,262)	$ (61,296)	$ (23,525)
Per share information-basic:
Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders	$ (0.34)	$ (0.84)	$ (0.33)
Per share information-diluted:
Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders	$ (0.34)	$ (0.84)	$ (0.33)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	77,603	72,882	70,907
Diluted	77,603	72,882	70,907
Service [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 153,589	$ 134,938	$ 112,881
Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below:
Cost of goods and services sold	53,184	50,548	37,913
Product [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	117,018	112,942	73,863
Total revenues	122,551	119,282	73,863
Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below:
Cost of goods and services sold	$ 93,444	$ 99,640	$ 55,037