Orbcomm (ORBC) 10-Q 7 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ORBCOMM Inc.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001361983	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	47,930,160

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$77,496	$34,783
Marketable securities	'	27,969
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $374 and $300	13,001	10,703
Inventories	4,047	3,748
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,030	1,484
Deferred tax assets	126	164
Total current assets	96,700	78,851
Satellite network and other equipment, net	129,156	101,208
Goodwill	19,842	14,740
Intangible assets, net	10,772	7,791
Restricted cash	2,195	2,195
Deferred tax assets	464	398
Other assets	3,168	1,583
Total assets	262,297	206,766
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	2,869	2,899
Accrued liabilities	14,303	11,271
Current portion of deferred revenue	3,266	2,394
Total current liabilities	20,438	16,564
Note payable-related party	1,537	1,503
Note payable, net of current portion	45,000	3,398
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	2,227	1,959
Deferred tax liabilities	636	397
Other liabilities	2,265	557
Total liabilities	72,103	24,378
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
ORBCOMM Inc. stockholders' equity	'	'
Preferred Stock Series A, par value $0.001; 1,000,000 shares authorized; 128,989 and 161,359 shares issued and outstanding	1,288	1,612
Common stock, par value $0.001; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 47,733,787 and 46,783,568 shares issued at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012	48	47
Additional paid-in capital	253,027	248,469
Accumulated other comprehensive income	341	633
Accumulated deficit	-64,222	-67,956
Less treasury stock, at cost, 29,990 shares at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012	-96	-96
Total ORBCOMM Inc. stockholders' equity	190,386	182,709
Noncontrolling interests	-192	-321
Total equity	190,194	182,388
Total liabilities and equity	$262,297	$206,766

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowances for doubtful accounts	$374	$300
Preferred Stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued	128,989	161,359
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	128,989	161,359
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	47,733,787	46,783,568
Treasury stock, shares	29,990	29,990

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:	'		'		'		'
Service revenues	$13,767		$12,708		$41,174		$36,657
Product sales	5,926		3,386		13,798		11,635
Total revenues	19,693		16,094		54,972		48,292
Costs and expenses:	'		'		'		'
Costs of services	6,214	[1]	5,108	[1]	17,196	[1]	14,764	[1]
Costs of product sales	4,121	[1]	2,335	[1]	10,495	[1]	8,006	[1]
Selling, general and administrative	6,656	[1]	5,390	[1]	19,714	[1]	16,330	[1]
Product development	721	[1]	630	[1]	2,008	[1]	1,811	[1]
Acquisition-related costs	771	[1]	67	[1]	1,391	[1]	700	[1]
Total costs and expenses	18,483	[1]	13,530	[1]	50,804	[1]	41,611	[1]
Income from operations	1,210		2,564		4,168		6,681
Other income (expense):	'		'		'		'
Interest income	5		24		34		74
Other income	41		16		382		68
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net of expenses	'		'		'		1,062
Interest expense	-3		-13		-54		-45
Total other income	43		27		362		1,159
Income before income taxes	1,253		2,591		4,530		7,840
Income taxes	254		284		603		1,080
Net income	999		2,307		3,927		6,760
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests	13		-17		147		145
Net income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	986		2,324		3,780		6,615
Net income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders	$971		$2,307		$3,734		$6,562
Per share information-basic:	'		'		'		'
Net income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	$0.02		$0.05		$0.08		$0.14
Per share information-diluted:	'		'		'		'
Net income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	$0.02		$0.05		$0.08		$0.14
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'		'		'		'
Basic	47,498		46,729		47,213		46,596
Diluted	48,728		47,559		48,475		47,432
[1]	(1) Stock-based compensation included in costs and expenses: Costs of services $ 81 $ 71 $ 202 $ 185 Costs of product sales 24 5 71 14 Selling, general and administrative 452 290 1,444 913 Product development 117 41 177 105 $ 674 $ 407 $ 1,894 $ 1,217

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stock-based compensation included in costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$674	$407	$1,894	$1,217
Costs of Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation included in costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	81	71	202	185
Costs of Product Sales [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation included in costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	24	5	71	14
Selling, General and Administrative [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation included in costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	452	290	1,444	913
Product Development [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation included in costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$117	$41	$177	$105

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$999	$2,307	$3,927	$6,760
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax-Foreign currency translation adjustments	-109	52	-310	-138
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-109	52	-310	-138
Comprehensive income	890	2,359	3,617	6,622
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	20	115	-129	-102
Comprehensive income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	$910	$2,474	$3,488	$6,520

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$3,927	$6,760
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts	94	-19
Change in the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration	-153	-130
Amortization of the fair value adjustment related to warranty liabilities acquired through acquisitions	-63	-166
Depreciation and amortization	4,214	3,480
Stock-based compensation	1,894	1,217
Foreign exchange losses (gains)	19	-66
Amortization of premium on marketable securities	187	606
Increase in fair value of indemnification assets	-138	-84
Deferred income taxes	198	255
Gain on extinguishment of debt and accounts payable	'	-1,214
Amortization of transition shared services	'	114
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-1,746	-2,258
Inventories	1,368	562
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-909	278
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-2,573	-924
Deferred revenue	-902	638
Other liabilities	34	-161
Net cash provided by operating activities	5,451	8,888
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-25,985	-11,658
Purchases of marketable securities	-51,448	-52,493
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities	79,230	50,352
Change in restricted cash	'	1,025
Net cash used in investing activities	-3,301	-16,774
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'
Proceeds received from issuance of $45,000 Senior Notes	45,000	'
Cash paid for debt issuance costs	-1,287	'
Proceeds received from exercise of stock options	760	'
Purchase of noncontrolling ownership interests in Satcom International Group plc	'	-199
Repayment of Satcom notes payable	'	-253
Principal payments of note payable	-3,450	-187
Principal payments of capital leases	-160	-367
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	40,863	-1,006
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-300	-85
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	42,713	-8,977
Cash and cash equivalents:	'	'
Beginning of period	34,783	35,061
End of period	77,496	26,084
Cash paid for	'	'
Interest	3,191	185
Income taxes	1,332	1,121
Noncash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures incurred not yet paid	6,717	11,604
Stock-based compensation included in capital expenditures	86	61
Series A convertible preferred stock dividend paid in-kind	46	53
Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition of LMS	'	2,123
Unpaid debt issuance costs included in accrued liabilities	46	'
Issuance of common stock in connection with the purchase of Satcom's shares from noncontrolling ownership interests	'	1,000
AIS satellites accounted for as a capital lease	'	903
Acquisition-related contingent consideration	1,539	740
Common stock redeemed in treasury stock from closing of escrow agreement	'	96
Fair value adjustment relating to the StarTrak warranty liabilities from finalizing the purchase price allocation	'	523
Gateway and components recorded in inventory in prior years which were used for construction under satellite network and other equipment	31	31
GlobalTrak [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Acquisition of net assets	-1,867	'
MobileNet [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Acquisition of net assets	-3,231	'
Noncash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Issuance of common stock	1,633	'
LMS [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Acquisition of net assets	'	($4,000)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract]	'
Cash acquired from acquisition	$1,037
Issuance of Senior Notes	$45,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (USD $)

Total

MobileNet [Member]

LMS [Member]

Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]

Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]

Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]

Accumulated Deficit [Member]

Treasury Stock [Member]

Noncontrolling Interests [Member]

In Thousands, except Share data

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

MobileNet [Member]

LMS [Member]

USD ($)

MobileNet [Member]

LMS [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Beginning balances at Dec. 31, 2011

$170,577

'

'

$1,861

$46

'

'

$244,543

'

'

$1,352

($76,629)

'

($596)

Beginning balances, Shares at Dec. 31, 2011

'

'

'

186,265

45,668,527

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vesting of restricted stock units

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vesting of restricted stock units, Shares

'

'

'

'

143,334

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation

1,278

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,278

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion of Series A convertible preferred stock to common stock

'

'

'

-318

'

'

'

318

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion of Series A convertible preferred stock to common stock, Shares

'

'

'

-31,837

53,152

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of common stock in connection with the purchase of noncontrolling ownership interests in Satcom

-199

'

'

'

'

'

'

-395

'

'

16

'

'

180

Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition

'

'

2,123

'

'

'

1

'

'

2,122

'

'

'

'

Issuance of common stock in connection with the purchase of noncontrolling ownership interests in Satcom, Shares

'

'

'

'

263,133

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition, shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

645,162

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock redeemed through treasury from closing of escrow agreement

-96

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-96

'

Common stock redeemed through treasury from closing of escrow agreement, Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-29,990

'

Exercise of SARs

'

'

'

'

7,700

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Series A convertible preferred stock dividend

'

'

'

53

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-53

'

'

Series A convertible preferred stock dividend, Shares

'

'

'

5,340

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income

6,760

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,615

'

145

Foreign currency translation adjustments

-138

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-95

'

'

-43

Ending balances at Sep. 30, 2012

180,305

'

'

1,596

47

'

'

247,866

'

'

1,273

-70,067

-96

-314

Ending balances, Shares at Sep. 30, 2012

'

'

'

159,768

46,781,008

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-29,990

'

Beginning balances at Dec. 31, 2012

182,388

'

'

1,612

47

'

'

248,469

'

'

633

-67,956

-96

-321

Beginning balances, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012

'

'

'

161,359

46,783,568

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-29,990

'

Vesting of restricted stock units

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vesting of restricted stock units, Shares

'

'

'

'

83,821

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation

1,796

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,796

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion of Series A convertible preferred stock to common stock

'

'

'

-370

'

'

'

370

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion of Series A convertible preferred stock to common stock, Shares

'

'

'

-37,017

61,673

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition

'

1,633

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,633

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition, shares

'

'

'

'

'

329,344

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercise of stock options

760

'

'

'

1

'

'

759

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercise of stock options, Shares

'

'

'

'

308,004

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercise of SARs

'

'

'

'

167,377

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Series A convertible preferred stock dividend

'

'

'

46

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-46

'

'

Series A convertible preferred stock dividend, Shares

'

'

'

4,647

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income

3,927

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,780

'

147

Foreign currency translation adjustments

-310

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-292

'

'

-18

Ending balances at Sep. 30, 2013

$190,194

'

'

$1,288

$48

'

'

$253,027

'

'

$341

($64,222)

($96)

($192)

Ending balances, Shares at Sep. 30, 2013

'

'

'

128,989

47,733,787

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-29,990

'

Overview

Overview	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Overview	'
	1. Overview
	ORBCOMM Inc. (“ORBCOMM” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, is a global wireless data communications company focused on machine-to-machine (“M2M”) communications. The Company’s services are designed to enable businesses and government agencies to track, monitor, and control and communicate with fixed and mobile assets. The Company operates a two-way global wireless data messaging system optimized for narrowband data communication. The Company also provides customers with technology to proactively monitor, manage and remotely control refrigerated transportation and other mobile assets. This technology enables the Company to expand its global technology platform by transferring capabilities across new and existing vertical markets and deliver complementary products to our channel partners and resellers worldwide. The Company provides these services through a constellation of 25 owned low-Earth orbit, or LEO satellites, 2 AIS microsatellites and accompanying ground infrastructure, and also provides terrestrial-based cellular communication services through reseller agreements with major cellular wireless providers. The Company’s satellite-based system uses small, low power, fixed or mobile satellite subscriber communicators (“Communicators”) for connectivity, and cellular wireless subscriber identity modules, or SIMS that are connected to the cellular wireless providers’ networks, with these systems capable of being connected to other public or private networks, including the Internet (collectively, the “ORBCOMM System”).

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

'

Basis of Presentation

'

2. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

In the opinion of management, the financial statements as of September 30, 2013 and for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 include all adjustments (including normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

The financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, and investments in variable interest entities in which the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The portions of majority-owned subsidiaries that the Company does not own are reflected as noncontrolling interests in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Investments in entities over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence but does not have a controlling interest are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company considers several factors in determining whether it has the ability to exercise significant influence with respect to investments, including, but not limited to, direct and indirect ownership level in the voting securities, active participation on the board of directors, approval of operating and budgeting decisions and other participatory and protective rights. Under the equity method, the Company’s proportionate share of the net income or loss of such investee is reflected in the Company’s condensed consolidated results of operations.

Although the Company owns interests in companies that it accounts for pursuant to the equity method, the investments in those entities had no carrying value as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The Company has no guarantees or other funding obligations to those entities. The Company had no equity or losses of those investees for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

When the Company does not exercise significant influence over the investee the investment is accounted under the cost method.

Acquisition costs

Acquisition-related costs directly relate to acquisitions. These costs include professional services expenses. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, acquisition-related costs were $771 and $67, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, acquisition-related costs were $1,391 and $700, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial instruments

The Company has no financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. However, if certain triggering events occur the Company is required to evaluate the non-financial assets for impairment and any resulting asset impairment would require that a non-financial asset be recorded at the fair value. FASB Topic ASC 820 “ Fair Value Measurement Disclosure”, prioritizes inputs used in measuring fair value into a hierarchy of three levels: Level 1- unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets, Level 2- inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3- unobservable inputs in which little or no market activity exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions that market participants would use in pricing.

The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, note receivable and accounts payable approximated their fair value due to the short-term nature of these items. The carrying value of the Senior Notes approximated its fair value due to the recent issuance (See Note 14). The fair value of the Note payable-related party is de minimis.

Marketable securities

At December 31, 2012, marketable securities consist of debt securities including U.S. government and agency obligations, corporate obligations and FDIC-insured certificates of deposit, which had stated maturities ranging from three months to less than one year. The Company classified these securities as held-to-maturity since it had the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity. These securities were carried at amortized cost. The changes in the fair value of these marketable securities, other than impairment charges, were not reported in the consolidated financial statements. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, all remaining marketable securities matured and the principal balances were invested into cash and cash equivalents.

Concentration of credit risk

The Company’s customers are primarily commercial organizations. Accounts receivable are generally unsecured.

Accounts receivable are due in accordance with payment terms included in contracts negotiated with customers. Amounts due from customers are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company determines its allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time accounts are past due, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligations to the Company, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. The Company writes-off accounts receivable when they are deemed uncollectible.

The following table presents customers with revenues greater than 10% of the Company’s consolidated total revenues for the periods shown:

Three Months ended

Nine Months ended

September 30,

September 30,

2013

2012

2013

2012

Caterpillar Inc.

14.7

%

17.9

%

18.1

%

18.5

%

Komatsu Ltd.

11.8

%

12.3

%

12

%

12

%

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.

*

*

*

10

%

*

Balance is less than 10% of consolidated revenues.

The following table presents customers with accounts receivable greater than 10% of the Company’s consolidated accounts receivable for the periods shown:

September 30,

December 31,

2013

2012

Caterpillar Inc.

23.1

%

24.2

%

The Company does not currently maintain in-orbit insurance coverage for its satellites to address the risk of potential systemic anomalies, failures or catastrophic events affecting its satellite constellation. If the Company experiences significant uninsured losses, such events could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventory consists primarily of raw materials and purchased parts to be utilized by its contract manufacturer. The Company reviews inventory quantities on hand and evaluates the realizability of inventories and adjusts the carrying value as necessary based on forecasted product demand. A provision is made for potential losses on slow moving and obsolete inventories when identified.

Warranty costs

The Company accrues for one-year warranty coverage on product sales estimated at the time of sale based on historical costs to repair or replace products for customers compared to historical product revenues. The warranty accrual is included in accrued liabilities.

Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists”. Under ASU 2013-11 an entity is required to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, unless certain conditions exist. ASU 2013-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2013-11 on January 1, 2014. The Company does not expect adopting ASU 2013-11 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	3. Acquisitions
	Sensor Enabled Notification System
	Effective on the close of business on October 1, 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of Comtech Mobile Datacom Corporation (“Comtech”) Sensor Enabled Notification System (“SENS”) operations pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement (“Comtech Asset Purchase Agreement”) dated as of October 1, 2013. The consideration paid to acquire SENS was $1,978 in cash. The operations of SENS will be included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements subsequent to the acquisition date of October 1, 2013.
	The acquisition of SENS will enable the Company to offer new product offerings to the Company’s existing suite of satellite and cellular network services.
	The allocation of the purchase price to the net assets acquired of SENS is currently in process. At this time, it is not practicable to disclose financial information regarding SENS.
	GlobalTrak
	Effective on the close of business on April 3, 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of GlobalTrak, a division of System Planning Corporation (“SPC”), pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement (“GlobalTrak Asset Purchase Agreement”) dated as of March 13, 2013. The consideration paid to acquire GlobalTrak on closing was $2,990 in cash, subject to a final working capital adjustment, of which $500 was deposited in escrow with a third party escrow agent. The $500 is available to pay indemnification obligations of SPC to the Company primarily relating for breaches of representations and warranties made by SPC.
	During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company reached an agreement with SPC for a final working capital adjustment of $86 which was paid to the Company. As of September 30, 2013, this amount was recorded as a decrease to goodwill in the condensed consolidated balance sheet since the adjustment was within the one-year measurement period.
	As this acquisition was effective on April 3, 2013, the results of operations of GlobalTrak are included in the condensed consolidated financial statements beginning April 4, 2013.
	Preliminary Estimated Purchase Price Allocation
	The total preliminary estimated purchase price was allocated to the net assets acquired based upon their preliminary estimated fair values as of the close of business on April 3, 2013 as set forth below. The excess of the preliminary purchase price over the preliminary net assets was recorded as goodwill. The preliminary allocation of the purchase price was based upon a preliminary valuation and the estimates and assumptions are subject to change. The areas of the preliminary purchase price allocation that are not yet finalized relate to the fair values of certain assets and liabilities, including intangible assets and goodwill. The Company anticipates finalizing the purchase price allocation by the end of the first quarter of 2014. The preliminary estimated purchase price allocation for the acquisition is as follows:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,037
	Accounts receivable		343
	Inventory		1,023
	Other current assets		405
	Equipment		13
	Intangible assets		500
	Total identifiable assets acquired		3,321
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(912	)
	Deferred revenues		(1,707	)
	Total liabilities assumed		(2,619	)
	Net identifiable assets acquired		702
	Goodwill		2,202
	Total preliminary purchase price	$	2,904
	Intangible Assets
	The fair values of the technology and trade names and trademarks were estimated using a relief from royalty method under the income approach based on discounted cash flows. A discount rate of 37% was selected to reflect risk characteristics of these intangible assets. The discount rate was applied to the projected cash flows associated with the assets in order to value the intangible assets. The remaining useful lives of the technology and trade names and trademarks were based on historical product development cycles, the projected rate of technology migration and a market participant’s use of these intangible assets and the pattern of projected economic benefit of these intangible assets.
		Estimated			Amount
		useful life (in
		years)
	Technology		10		$	380
	Trade names and trademarks		5			70
	Customer lists		5			50
					$	500
	Goodwill
	The acquisition of GlobalTrak gives the Company access to a customer base that includes military, international, government and commercial customers as well as expanded reach in growing regions, such as the Middle East, Asia and South America. These factors contributed to a preliminary estimated purchase price resulting in the recognition of goodwill. The acquired goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.
	Indemnification Asset
	In connection with the GlobalTrak Asset Purchase Agreement, the Company entered into an escrow agreement with SPC and an escrow agent. Under the terms of this escrow agreement, $500 was placed in an escrow account for up to fifteen months to fund any indemnification obligations to the Company primarily relating for breaches of representations and warranties made by SPC. Under the terms of the escrow agreement, SPC will be entitled to receive one-half of the $500, less the aggregate amount of claims made by the Company against SPC six months from April 3, 2013. In the event that the Company believes that an indemnity obligation of SPC has arisen under the GlobalTrak Asset Purchase Agreement, the Company shall have the right to provide written notice to the escrow agent and SPC setting forth a description of the claim and the amount of cash to be distributed to the Company from the escrow account. As of September 30, 2013, the Company has not recorded an indemnification asset for any indemnity obligations of SPC arising under the GlobalTrak Asset Purchase Agreement. The Company will continue to evaluate if there are any indemnity obligations of SPC arising under the GlobalTrak Asset Purchase Agreement during the remainder of the measurement period. In October 2013, the Company notified the escrow agent to release $250 from escrow and distribute the amount to SPC.
	Pre-Acquisition Contingencies
	The Company has evaluated and continues to evaluate pre-acquisition contingencies related to GlobalTrak that existed as of the acquisition date. If any pre-acquisition contingencies that were acquired as part of the acquisition become probable and estimable, the Company will record such amounts in the measurement period or the Company’s results of operations, as applicable.
	MobileNet, Inc.
	Effective on the close of business on April 1, 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of MobileNet, Inc. (“MobileNet”), pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “MobileNet Asset Purchase Agreement”) dated as of March 13, 2013. As this acquisition was effective on April 1, 2013, the results of operations of MobileNet are included in the condensed consolidated financial statements beginning April 2, 2013, however the impact of this acquisition was not material to the Company’s condensed consolidated results of operations.
	The consideration paid by the Company on closing consisted of $3,203 in cash, subject to a final working capital adjustment specified in the MobileNet Asset Purchase Agreement and the issuance of 329,344 shares of the Company’s common stock (valued at $4.96 per share, which reflects the Company’s common stock closing price on April 1, 2013), of which 164,672 shares of common stock were placed into an escrow account for up to fifteen months from closing to fund any indemnification obligations to the Company primarily relating for breaches of representations and warranties made by MobileNet. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company reached an agreement with MobileNet for a final working capital adjustment of $28 which was paid to MobileNet. As of September 30, 2013, this amount was recorded as an increase to goodwill in the condensed consolidated balance sheet since the adjustment was within the one-year measurement period.
	In addition to the consideration paid at closing, the MobileNet Asset Purchase Agreement provides for contingent consideration payable by the Company to MobileNet if service revenues attributable to the MobileNet business for either of the two one year earn-out periods May 1, 2013 through April 30, 2014 and May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2015 are in excess of the specified baseline amount. In that event, the Company has agreed to pay to MobileNet an amount equal to (i) 50% of the first $2,000 of such excess amount for the applicable earn-out period and (ii) 35% of any amount of such excess amount for the applicable earn-out period which is greater than $2,000. Up to 50% of any potential earn-out amounts can be paid in common stock at the Company’s option. Any shares of common stock to be issued will be based on the 20-day average closing price of the common stock prior to the last trading day of the earn-out period. At the acquisition date, the Company recorded a liability of $1,539 for the estimated value of the earn-out amounts.
	The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the purchase price:
	Cash	$	3,231
	Issuance of 329,344 shares of common stock (valued at $4.96 per share, which reflects the Company’s common stock closing price on April 1, 2013)		1,634
	Fair value of contingent earn-out amounts		1,539
	Total	$	6,404
	Contingent earn-out consideration
	The estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out amounts was determined based on the Company’s preliminary estimates using weighted probabilities to achieve the service revenues attributable to the MobileNet business for either of the two one year earn-out periods May 1, 2013 through April 30, 2014 and May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2015. At the acquisition date, the Company estimated the fair value of the contingent earn-out amounts using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow models discounted at 19% and recorded a liability for the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration. The fair value measurements are based on significant inputs not observed in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement. Any change in the fair value of the contingent earn-out amounts subsequent to the acquisition date, including changes from events after the acquisition date, will be recognized in earnings in the period the estimated fair value changes. Achievement of the service revenues lower than the targets will result in less being paid out. Achievement below certain thresholds will reduce the liability to zero. As of September 30, 2013, the Company estimated the fair value of the contingent earn-out amounts using a probability-weighted discounted models discounted at 18%. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the fair value of the earn-out amounts was increased by $67 which is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2013, $33 is included in accrued liabilities and $1,573 is included in other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
	Preliminary Estimated Purchase Price Allocation
	The total preliminary estimated purchase price was allocated to the net assets acquired based upon their preliminary estimated fair values as of the close of business on April 1, 2013 as set forth below. The excess of the preliminary purchase price over the preliminary net assets was recorded as goodwill. The preliminary allocation of the purchase price was based upon a preliminary valuation and the estimates and assumptions are subject to change. The areas of the preliminary purchase price allocation that are not yet finalized relate to the fair values of certain assets and liabilities, including contingent consideration, deferred revenues, intangible assets and goodwill. The Company anticipates finalizing the purchase price allocation by the end of the first quarter of 2014. The preliminary estimated purchase price allocation for the acquisition is as follows:
	Accounts receivable	$	363
	Inventory		255
	Other current assets		10
	Intangible assets		3,460
	Total identifiable assets acquired		4,088
	Accrued expenses		(238	)
	Deferred revenues		(346	)
	Total liabilities assumed		(584	)
	Net identifiable assets acquired		3,504
	Goodwill		2,900
	Total preliminary purchase price	$	6,404
Intangible Assets
The fair values of the technology and trademarks were estimated using a relief from royalty method under the income approach based on discounted cash flows. The fair value of the customer lists was estimated based on an income approach using the excess earnings method. A discount rate of 24% was selected to reflect risk characteristics of these intangible assets. The discount rate was applied to the projected cash flows associated with the assets in order to value the intangible assets. The remaining useful lives of the technology and trademarks were based on historical product development cycles, the projected rate of technology migration, a market participant’s use of these intangible assets and the pattern of projected economic benefit of these intangible assets. The remaining useful lives of customer relationships were based on the customer attrition and the projected economic benefit of these customers.
	Estimated
	useful life (in
	years)			Amount
Customer lists		10		$	2,600
Technology		10			730
Trademarks		5			130
				$	3,460
Goodwill
The acquisition of MobileNet will enable the Company to offer MobileNet’s complete fleet management solution directly to original equipment manufacturers, dealers and fleet owners. These factors contributed to a preliminary estimated purchase price resulting in the recognition of goodwill. The acquired goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.
Indemnification Asset
In connection with the MobileNet Asset Purchase Agreement, the Company entered into an escrow agreement with MobileNet and an escrow agent. Under the terms of this escrow agreement, 164,672 shares of common stock were issued to MobileNet and placed in an escrow account for up to fifteen months to fund any indemnification obligations to the Company primarily relating for breaches of representations and warranties made by MobileNet. Under the terms of the escrow agreement, MobileNet will retain all rights and privileges of ownership of the common stock placed in the escrow account. Further subject to certain resale restrictions, MobileNet has the right to sell any of the common stock that was placed in escrow provided that all proceeds of any such sale are deposited directly with the escrow agent. In the event that the Company believes that an indemnity obligation of MobileNet has arisen under the MobileNet Asset Purchase Agreement, the Company shall have the right to provide written notice to the escrow agent and MobileNet setting forth a description of the distribution event and the number of shares of the Company’s common stock and or amount of cash to be distributed to the Company from the escrow account. The Company will direct the escrow agent to release to the Company from the escrow account a number of shares of common stock equal to the distribution amount valued at the 20-day average closing price from April 1, 2013. As of September 30, 2013, the Company has not recorded an indemnification asset for any indemnity obligations of MobileNet arising under the MobileNet Asset Purchase Agreement. The Company will continue to evaluate if there are any indemnity obligations of MobileNet arising under the MobileNet Asset Purchase Agreement during the remainder of the measurement period.
Pre-Acquisition Contingencies
The Company has evaluated and continues to evaluate pre-acquisition contingencies related to MobileNet that existed as of the acquisition date. If any pre-acquisition contingencies that were acquired as part of the acquisition become probable and estimable, the Company will record such amounts to goodwill in the one-year measurement period, or the Company’s results of operations, if outside the one-year measurement period as applicable.
LMS
Effective on the close of business on January 12, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of the assets of LMS, pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of December 23, 2011. As this acquisition was effective on January 12, 2012, the results of operations of LMS are included in the condensed consolidated financial statements beginning January 13, 2012.
The consideration paid by the Company to PAR on closing to acquire LMS consisted of $4,000 in cash, subject to a final working capital adjustment specified in the Asset Purchase Agreement and the issuance of 645,162 shares of the Company’s common stock, of which 387,097 shares of common stock were placed into an escrow account for up to fifteen months from closing to fund any indemnification obligations to the Company, including for breaches of representations and warranties made by PAR. During the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company and PAR agreed to a working capital adjustment of $112 for amounts owed to the Company by PAR. This amount was recorded to other income in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 since the adjustment to the working capital exceeded the one-year measurement period.
In addition to the consideration paid at closing, the Asset Purchase Agreement provides for contingent payments of up to $3,950 payable post-closing by the Company to PAR. Up to $3,000 of the contingent payments will be payable based on achieving subscriber targets for calendar year 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2012, LMS did not achieve the subscriber targets. Up to $950 of the contingent payments will be payable based on achieving sales targets through 2014. Any potential earn-out amount can be paid in common stock, cash or a combination at the Company’s option. Any shares of common stock to be issued will be based on the 20-day average closing price ending on the third trading day preceding the date of payment. The potential earn-out amount for achieving the sales targets for any calendar year if earned will be paid within 30 days after the Company files its Form 10-K for years 2013 and 2014.
Contingent earn-out consideration
The estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out amount was determined based on the Company’s estimates using weighted probabilities to achieve the sales targets for calendar years 2013 through 2014. The Company estimated the fair value of the sales targets contingent earn-out amounts using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model. The Company has recorded a liability for the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration. The fair value measurements are based on significant inputs not observed in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement. Any change in the fair value of the contingent earn-out amounts subsequent to the acquisition date, including changes from events after the acquisition date will be recognized in earnings in the period the estimated fair value changes. Achievement of the sales target lower than the target will result in less than the $950 being paid out. Achievement below certain thresholds will reduce the liability to zero. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the fair value of the earn-out amounts was decreased by $220 which is recorded as a reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2013, $370 is included in other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Indemnification Asset
PAR and the Company have agreed to release $843 from escrow to PAR. During the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company and PAR have agreed to release the remaining balance of $285 to the Company. The $285 was recorded to other income in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 since the resolution of the claim exceeded the one-year measurement period.
Warranty Liabilities and Escrow Agreement
As a result of the acquisition of StarTrak on May 16, 2011, the Company recorded warranty obligations on StarTrak’s product sales, which provide for costs to replace or fix the product. One-year warranty coverage is accrued on product sales which provide for costs to replace or fix the product.
In connection with the acquisition, the Company entered into an escrow agreement with Alanco. Under the terms of the escrow agreement, 166,611 shares of common stock were issued to Alanco and placed in an escrow account to cover 50% of certain costs relating to fuel sensor warranty obligations incurred by the Company. In the event that the sum of (i) aggregate warranty expenses (other than for fuel sensors) and (ii) any fuel sensor damages directly expended or accrued on the StarTrak balance sheet from March 1, 2011 through March 1, 2012 exceeds $600, the Company shall have the right to provide written notice to the escrow agent and Alanco setting forth a description of the fuel sensor distribution event and the number of shares of the Company’s common stock to be distributed to the Company from the escrow account. The number of shares of common stock that the Company will direct the escrow agent to release to the Company from the escrow account will equal 50% of the fuel sensor damages (excluding the amount of damages that when added to the non-fuel sensor damages equals $600) incurred or suffered from June 1, 2011 through March 1, 2012, valued at $3.001 per share. The Company is in the process of finalizing the arrangement. As a result, the Company recorded $547 relating to the escrow agreement as an indemnification asset, which is included in other assets. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded a gain of $78 and $50, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 recorded a gain of $138 and $78 on the fair value of the common stock held in escrow, which is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Pro Forma Results for the Acquisitions of GlobalTrak and LMS
The following table presents the unaudited pro forma results of the Company and GlobalTrak for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and the unaudited pro forma results of the Company, GlobalTrak and LMS for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the unaudited pro forma results of GlobalTrak for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as though the companies had been combined as of the beginning of each of the periods presented. The pro forma information is presented for informational purposes only and is not indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisitions had taken place at the beginning of each period presented.
The supplemental pro forma revenues, net income (loss) attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. and the net income attributable to common stockholders for the period presented in the table below were adjusted to include the amortization of the intangible assets and income tax expense calculated from January 1, 2012 to the acquisition dates. Also the supplemental pro forma information was adjusted to exclude acquisition costs directly related to GlobalTrak and LMS.
The amount of GlobalTrak’s revenues and net loss included in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations from the acquisition date to September 30, 2013 and GlobalTrak and LMS results of operations of the combined entity had the acquisition dates been January 1, 2012, are as follows:
							Net Income (loss)
				Net Income (loss)			Attributable to
				Attributable			ORBCOMM Inc.
	Revenues			ORBCOMM Inc.			Common Stockholders
Actual from April 4, 2013 to September 30, 2013 (GlobalTrak)	$	3,502		$	(5	)	$	(5	)
Supplemental pro forma for the three months ended September 30, 2012 (GlobalTrak)	$	16,862		$	1,707		$	1,690
Supplemental pro forma for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (GlobalTrak)	$	55,636		$	3,126		$	3,080
Supplemental pro forma for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 (GlobalTrak and LMS)	$	49,420		$	5,589		$	5,536

Satcom_International_Group_plc

Satcom International Group plc ("Satcom")	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Satcom International Group plc ("Satcom")	'
	4. Satcom International Group plc (“Satcom”)
	On March 28, 2012, the Company purchased the remaining 48% noncontrolling ownership interests in its majority owned subsidiary, Satcom for $1,119. The consideration consisted of: (i) $119 in cash and (ii) the issuance of 263,133 shares of the Company’s common stock (valued at $3.80 per share, which reflects the Company’s common stock opening stock price on March 28, 2012). The Company incurred transaction fees of $80 which was recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital. As a result, the noncontrolling interests and accumulated other comprehensive income increased by $180 and $16, respectively, and additional paid-in capital decreased by $395.
	Concurrently, Satcom paid $253 to its note holders, which included $43 to a creditor of Satcom who is a related-party serving as the Company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, in exchange for a waiver and release of all outstanding principal and accrued interest previously recorded in accrued liabilities totaling $1,340, which included $290 owed to the related-party. As a result, the Company recognized a gain on extinguishment of debt of $1,062, net of expenses of $24 in other income (expense) in its condensed consolidated statements of operations, for the difference between the payments made and the net carrying amounts of the outstanding principal and accrued interest for the six months ended September 30, 2012. Further, Satcom also paid $128 to a trade creditor in exchange for a waiver and release of the outstanding trade payables totaling $256. As a result, the Company reduced selling, general and administrative expenses by $128 in its condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	5. Stock-based Compensation
	The Company’s stock-based compensation plans consist of its 2006 Long-Term Incentives Plan (the “2006 LTIP”) and its 2004 Stock Option Plan. As of September 30, 2013, there were 3,590,651 shares available for grant under the 2006 LTIP and no shares available for grant under the 2004 Stock Option Plan.
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $674 and $407, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company capitalized stock-based compensation of $35 and $24, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $1,894 and $1,217, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company capitalized stock-based compensation of $86 and $61, respectively. The components of the Company’s stock-based compensation expense are presented below:
		Three months ended					Nine months ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013			2012		2013		2012
	Stock appreciation rights	$	407		$	320	$	1,173	$	981
	Restricted stock units		172			87		537		236
	Market performance units		95			—		184		—
	Total	$	674		$	407	$	1,894	$	1,217
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company had unrecognized compensation costs for stock appreciation rights and restricted stock unit arrangements totaling $1,903.
	Time-Based Stock Appreciation Rights
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company granted 375,000 time-based SARs, which vest through June 2016. The weighted-average grant date fair value of these SARs was $2.96 per share.
	A summary of the Company’s time-based SARs for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:
							Weighted-Average
							Remaining		Aggregate
		Number of			Weighted-Average		Contractual		Intrinsic Value
		Shares			Exercise Price		Term (years)		(In thousands)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013		3,422,967		$	3.72
	Granted		375,000			4.77
	Exercised		(306,700	)		2.64
	Forfeited or expired		(112,000	)		3.37
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		3,379,267		$	3.96		6.84	$	4,721
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013		2,275,767		$	3.98		5.77	$	3,240
	Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2013		3,379,267		$	3.96		6.84	$	4,721
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $363 and $182 relating to these SARs, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $1,007 and $570 relating to these SARs, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, $1,414 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to these SARs is expected to be recognized through June 2016.
	The intrinsic value of the SARs exercised was $584 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Performance-Based Stock Appreciation Rights
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company granted 120,500 performance-based SARs for 2013 financial and operational targets, which are expected to vest in the first quarter of 2014. As of September 30, 2013, the Company estimates that approximately 58% of the performance-based SARs will vest. The weighted-average grant date fair value of these SARs was $2.52 per share.
	A summary of the Company’s performance-based SARs for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:
							Remaining		Aggregate
		Number of			Weighted-Average		Contractual		Intrinsic Value
		Shares			Exercise Price		Term (years)		(In thousands)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013		1,034,025		$	4.88
	Granted		120,500			4.2
	Exercised		(118,025	)		2.95
	Forfeited or expired		(133,437	)		3.36
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		903,063		$	5.27		6.75	$	1,316
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013		792,653		$	5.41		6.34	$	1,201
	Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2013		856,513		$	5.32		6.59	$	1,268
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $44 and $138 relating to these SARs, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $166 and $411 relating to these SARs, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had unrecognized compensation cost of $94 related to these SARs is expected to be recognized through the first quarter of 2014.
	The intrinsic value of the SARs exercised was $175 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	The fair value of each time and performance-based SAR award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the assumptions described below for the periods indicated. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the expected volatility was based on an average of the Company’s historical volatility over the expected terms of the SAR awards and the comparable publicly traded companies’ historical volatility. The Company uses the “simplified” method to determine the expected terms of SARs due to an insufficient history of exercises. Estimated forfeitures were based on voluntary and involuntary termination behavior as well as analysis of actual forfeitures. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the time of the grant over the expected term of the SAR grants.
		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013		2012
	Risk-free interest rate	0.91% to 1.99%		0.78% to 1.41%
	Expected life (years)	5.5 and 6.0		5.5 and 6.0
	Estimated volatility factor	68.39% to 69.92%		71.75% to 74.67%
	Expected dividends	None		None
	Time-based Restricted Stock Units
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company granted 80,270 time-based RSUs, which vest through December 2015.
	A summary of the Company’s time-based RSUs for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:
		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant
					Date Fair Value
	Balance at January 1, 2013		88,821		$	3.12
	Granted		80,270			4
	Vested		(73,821	)		3.81
	Forfeited or expired		—			—
	Balance at September 30, 2013		95,270		$	3.33
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $145 and $87 related to these RSUs, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $285 and $236 related to these RSUs, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, $137 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to these RSUs is expected to be recognized through December 2015.
	Performance-based Restricted Stock Units
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company granted 256,000 performance-based RSUs for 2013 financial and operational targets, which are expected to vest in the first quarter of 2014. As of September 30, 2013, the Company estimates that 49% of the performance targets will be achieved.
	A summary of the Company’s performance- based RSUs for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:
	Shares			Weighted-Average Grant
				Date Fair Value
Balance at January 1, 2013		—		$	—
Granted		256,000			3.89
Vested		—			—
Forfeited or expired		—			—
Balance at September 30, 2013		256,000		$	3.89
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $27 and $252 related to these RSUs, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, $258 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to these RSUs is expected to be recognized through the first quarter of 2014.
The fair value of the time-based and performance-based RSU awards are based upon the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
Performance Units
In December 2012, the Company granted Market Performance Units (“MPUs”) to its senior executives based on its stock price performance over a three-year period. The MPUs will vest at the end of each performance period only if the Company satisfies the stock price performance targets and continued employment by the senior executives through the dates the Compensation Committee has determined that the targets have been achieved. The value of the MPUs that will be earned each year ranges up to 15% of each of the senior executives 2013 base salary depending on the Company’s stock price performance target for that year. The value of the MPUs can be paid in either cash or common stock or a combination at the Company’s option. The MPUs are classified as a liability and are revalued at the end of reporting period based on the awards fair value over a three-year period.
As the MPUs contain both a performance and service condition, the MPUs have been treated as a series of three separate awards or tranches for purposes of recognizing stock-based compensation expense. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense on a tranche-by-tranche basis over the requisite service period for that specific tranche. The Company estimated the fair value of the MPUs granted using a Monte Carlo Simulation Model that used the following assumptions: risk-free interest rates of ranging from 0.03% to 0.46%, estimated volatility factor of 40% and no expected dividends. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded stock-based compensation relating to these MPUs of $95 and $184, respectively.
2004 Stock Option Plan
A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options as of September 30, 2013 is as follows:
	Number			Weighted-		Weighted-		Aggregate
	of Shares			Average		Average		Intrinsic
				Exercise		Remaining		Value (In
				Price		Contractual		thousands)
						Term
						(years)
Outstanding at January 1, 2013		737,291		$	2.96
Granted		—			—
Exercised		(357,053	)		2.51
Forfeited or expired		—			—
Outstanding at September 30, 2013		380,238		$	3.39		0.64	$	705
Exercisable at September 30, 2013		380,238		$	3.39		0.64	$	705
Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2013		380,238		$	3.39		0.64	$	705
The intrinsic value of the stock options exercised was $880 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Net_Income_Attributable_to_ORB

Net Income Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. Common Stockholders	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. Common Stockholders	'
	6. Net Income Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. Common Stockholders
	Basic net income per common share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per common share is computed by giving effect to all potentially dilutive securities. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company included the effect of 1,003,435 and 817,066 SARs, RSUs and stock options in its diluted weighted average common shares outstanding, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company included the effect of 1,013,360 and 814,073 SARs, RSUs and stock options in its diluted weighted average common shares outstanding, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company included 214,910 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock in its diluted weighted average common shares outstanding.
	The potentially dilutive securities excluded from the determination of diluted income per share, as their effect is antidilutive, are as follows:
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	SARs		3,485,738			3,641,702			3,563,308			3,656,531
	RSUs		289,106			29,503			276,950			12,726
	Stock options		235,559			586,426			160,220			591,365
			4,010,403			4,257,631			4,000,478			4,260,622
	The computation of net income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders is as follows for the three and nine months September 30, 2013 and 2012.
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	$	986		$	2,324		$	3,780		$	6,615
	Preferred stock dividends on Series A convertible preferred stock		(15	)		(17	)		(46	)		(53	)
	Net income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders	$	971		$	2,307		$	3,734		$	6,562

Marketable_Securities

Marketable Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Marketable Securities	'
	7. Marketable Securities
	As of December 31, 2012, the marketable securities were recorded at amortized cost which approximates fair market value which was based on Level 1 inputs. All investments mature in one year or less.
		December 31, 2012
				Gross		Gross
		Fair		Unrealized		Unrealized
		Value		Losses		Gains
	U.S. government and agency obligations	$	13,557	$	—	$	—
	Corporate obligations		8,925		7		—
	FDIC-insured certificates of deposit		5,479		1		—
		$	27,961	$	8	$	—
	The Company would recognize an impairment loss when the decline in the estimated fair value of a marketable security below the amortized cost is determined to be other-than-temporary. The Company considers various factors in determining whether to recognize an impairment charge, including the duration of time and the severity to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost, any adverse changes in the issuer’s financial conditions and the Company’s intent to sell or whether it is more likely than not that it would be required to sell the marketable security before its anticipated recovery. Investments with unrealized losses have been in an unrealized loss position for less than a year.
	As of December 31, 2012, the gross unrealized losses of $8 were primarily due to changes in interest rates and not credit quality of the issuer.

Satellite_Network_and_Other_Eq

Satellite Network and Other Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Satellite Network and Other Equipment	'
	8. Satellite Network and Other Equipment
	Satellite network and other equipment consisted of the following:
		Useful life		September 30,			December 31,
		(years)		2013			2012
	Land			$	381		$	381
	Satellite network		10-Jan		26,853			24,976
	Capitalized software		7-Mar		4,597			3,009
	Computer hardware		3		2,354			1,852
	Other		7-Feb		2,293			1,703
	Assets under construction				116,031			89,658
					152,509			121,579
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization				(23,353	)		(20,371	)
				$	129,156		$	101,208
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company capitalized costs attributable to the design and development of internal-use software in the amount of $1,259 and $569, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $1,223 and $1,034, respectively. This includes amortization of internal-use software of $234 and $107 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $3,235 and $2,712, respectively. This includes amortization of internal-use software of $462 and $287 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Assets under construction primarily consist of milestone payments pursuant to procurement agreements which includes, the design, development, launch and other direct costs relating to the construction of the next-generation satellites (See Note 18) and upgrades to its infrastructure and ground segment.
	During the three months ended June 30, 2013, the Company lost communications with one of its plane C satellites. The Company does not expect the loss of this satellite to materially affect its business.
	For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company adjusted satellite network and accumulated depreciation and amortization by $14,550 due to fully depreciated satellites that are no longer placed in service.

Restricted_Cash

Restricted Cash	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Restricted Cash	'
	9. Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash consists of the remaining cash collateral of $2,000 for a performance bond required by the FCC in connection with the construction, launch and operation of the 18 next-generation satellites that was authorized in the March 21, 2008 FCC Space Segment License modification. Under the terms of the performance bond, the cash collateral will be reduced in increments of $1,000 upon completion of specified milestones. The Company has classified the remaining $2,000 as a non-current asset at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	10. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the estimated fair values of the underlying net tangible and intangible assets.
	Goodwill consisted of the following:
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	14,740
	Addition resulting from the acquisition of MobileNet		2,900
	Addition resulting from the acquisition of GlobalTrak		2,202
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	19,842
	Goodwill is allocated to the Company’s one reportable segment.
	The Company’s intangible assets consisted of the following:
				September 30, 2013							December 31, 2012
		Useful life				Accumulated							Accumulated
		(years)		Cost		amortization			Net		Cost		amortization			Net
	Customer lists	10		$	6,470	$	(985	)	$	5,485	$	3,820	$	(776	)	$	3,044
	Patents and technology	5 and 10			5,720		(1,230	)		4,490		4,610		(563	)		4,047
	Trade names and trademarks	2, 5 and 10			1,060		(263	)		797		860		(160	)		700
				$	13,250	$	(2,478	)	$	10,772	$	9,290	$	(1,499	)	$	7,791
	The weighted-average amortization period for the intangible assets is 9.7 years. The weighted-average amortization period for customer lists, patents and technology and trade names and trademarks is 10.0, 9.5 and 8.8 years, respectively.
	Amortization expense was $362 and $256 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Amortization expense was $979 and $768 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets subsequent to September 30, 2013 is as follows:
	Years ending December 31,
	Remainder of 2013	$	361
	2014		1,415
	2015		1,415
	2016		1,415
	2017		1,273
	Thereafter		4,893
		$	10,772

Accrued_Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Liabilities	'
	11. Accrued Liabilities
	The Company’s accrued liabilities consisted of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Accrued compensation and benefits	$	2,974		$	3,092
	Warranty		2,341			2,762
	Corporate income tax payable		—			843
	Contingent earn-out amounts		33			320
	AIS deployment and license agreement		190			216
	Accrued satellite network and other equipment		6,158			1,559
	Other accrued expenses		2,607			2,479
		$	14,303		$	11,271
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, changes in accrued warranty obligations consisted of the following:
		September 30,
		2013			2012
	Balance at January 1,	$	2,762		$	2,631
	Warranty liabilities assumed from acquisitions		38			806
	Amortization of fair value adjustment of warranty liabilities acquired through acquisitions		(63	)		(166	)
	Warranty expense		211			296
	Warranty charges		(607	)		(542	)
	Balance at September 30,	$	2,341		$	3,025

Deferred_Revenues

Deferred Revenues	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]	'
Deferred Revenues	'
	12. Deferred Revenues
	Deferred revenues consisted of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Service activation fees	$	3,018		$	2,690
	Prepaid services		1,888			1,331
	Prepaid product revenues		293			—
	Warranty revenues		294			332
			5,493			4,353
	Less current portion		(3,266	)		(2,394	)
	Long-term portion	$	2,227		$	1,959

Note_PayableRelated_Party

Note Payable-Related Party	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Note Payable-Related Party	'
	13. Note Payable-Related Party
	In connection with the acquisition of a majority interest in Satcom in 2005, the Company recorded an indebtedness to OHB Technology A.G. (formerly known as OHB Teledata A.G.), a stockholder of the Company. At September 30, 2013, the principal balance of the note payable was €1,138 and it had a carrying value of $1,537. At December 31, 2012, the principal balance of the note payable was €1,138 and it had a carrying value of $1,503. The carrying value was based on the note’s estimated fair value at the time of acquisition. The difference between the carrying value and principal balance was being amortized to interest expense over the estimated life of the note of six years which ended in September 30, 2011. This note does not bear interest and has no fixed repayment term. Repayment will be made from the distribution profits (as defined in the note agreement) of ORBCOMM Europe LLC. The note has been classified as long-term and the Company does not expect any repayments to be required prior to September 30, 2014.

Notes_Payable

Notes Payable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Notes Payable	'
	14. Notes Payable
	$45,000 9.5% Senior Notes
	On January 4, 2013, the Company issued $45,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes (“Senior Notes”) due January 4, 2018. Interest is payable quarterly at a rate of 9.5% per annum. The Senior Notes are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ assets. The covenants in the Senior Notes limits the Company’s ability to among other things to, incur additional indebtedness and liens, to sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of the Company’s or subsidiaries assets, merge or consolidate with other companies. The Company is also required to obtain launch and one year in-orbit insurance for the next-generation satellites under the terms of the Senior Notes. The Company must also comply with a maintenance covenant of either having available liquidity of $10,000 (the sum of (a) cash and cash equivalents plus (b) the total amount available to be borrowed under a working capital facility) or a leverage ratio (consolidated total debt to consolidated adjusted EBITDA, adjusted for stock-based compensation, certain other non-cash items and other agreed upon other charges) of not more than 4.5 to 1.0. In connection with the issuance of the Senior Notes, the Company incurred approximately $1,333 of debt issuance costs, which will be amortized through January 4, 2018. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the amortization of the debt issuance costs was $66 and $197, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company capitalized all of the interest expense and amortization of the debt issuance costs to construction of the next-generation satellites.
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company was in compliance with the covenants.
	$3,900 6% Notes
	On May 16, 2011, the Company issued a $3,900 6% secured promissory note to an existing lender and stockholder of Alanco. The note bore interest at 6.00% per annum. On January 4, 2013, the remaining unpaid principal amount of $3,450 and unpaid interest was repaid as a condition of the Company issuing the Senior Notes discussed above.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	15. Stockholders’ Equity
	Series A convertible preferred stock
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, holders of the Series A convertible preferred stock converted 37,017 shares into 61,673 shares of the Company’s common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company issued dividends in the amount of 4,647 shares to the holders of the Series A convertible preferred stock. As of September 30, 2013, dividends in arrears were $13.
	Common Stock
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company has reserved 8,604,489 shares of common stock for future issuances related to employee stock compensation plans.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	16. Segment Information
	The Company operates in one reportable segment, M2M data communications. Other than satellites in orbit, long-lived assets outside of the United States are not significant. The following table summarizes revenues on a percentage basis by geographic regions, based on the country in which the customer is located.
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	United States		84	%		84	%		85	%		82	%
	Japan		9	%		12	%		9	%		15	%
	Other		7	%		4	%		6	%		3	%
			100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	17. Income taxes
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company’s income tax provision was $254, resulting from a foreign income tax expense of $167 from income generated by ORBCOMM Japan operating in Japan and $87 of amortization of tax goodwill generated from acquisitions. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company’s income tax provision was $284, resulting from a foreign income tax expense of $219 from income generated by ORBCOMM Japan and $65 of amortization of tax goodwill generated from acquisitions.
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company’s income tax provision was $603, resulting from a foreign income tax expense of $364 from income generated by ORBCOMM Japan and $239 of amortization of tax goodwill generated from acquisitions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company’s income tax provision was $1,080, resulting from a foreign income tax expense of $884 from income generated by ORBCOMM Japan and $196 of amortization of tax goodwill generated from acquisitions.
	As of September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company maintained a valuation allowance against all of its net deferred tax assets, excluding goodwill, attributable to operations in the United States and all other foreign jurisdictions, except for Japan, as the realization of such assets was not considered more likely than not.
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $775. There were no changes to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Company is subject to U.S. federal and state examinations by tax authorities from 2008. The Company does not expect any significant changes to its unrecognized tax positions during the next twelve months.
	The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. No interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions were recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	18. Commitments and Contingencies
	Procurement agreements in connection with 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. Any unused credit can be applied to other activities under the task order agreement or the original procurement agreement if application to the task order agreement becomes impossible or impracticable. 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 “Amendment”). The 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.
	The 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 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.
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company has made milestone payments of $58,500 under the agreement. The Company anticipates making payments under the agreement of approximately $4,680 during the remainder of 2013.
	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 September 30, 2013, the Company has made milestone payments of $33,210 under the Falcon 9 Agreement. The Company anticipates making payments of approximately $5,935 during the remainder of 2013.
	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.
	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 September 30, 2013 and 2012, airtime credits used totaled approximately $8. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, airtime credits used totaled approximately $23 and $24, respectively. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, unused credits granted by the Company were approximately $2,105 and $2,128, respectively.

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

'

Acquisition Costs

'

Acquisition costs

Acquisition-related costs directly relate to acquisitions. These costs include professional services expenses. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, acquisition-related costs were $771 and $67, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, acquisition-related costs were $1,391 and $700, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

'

Fair Value of Financial instruments

The Company has no financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. However, if certain triggering events occur the Company is required to evaluate the non-financial assets for impairment and any resulting asset impairment would require that a non-financial asset be recorded at the fair value. FASB Topic ASC 820 “ Fair Value Measurement Disclosure”, prioritizes inputs used in measuring fair value into a hierarchy of three levels: Level 1- unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets, Level 2- inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3- unobservable inputs in which little or no market activity exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions that market participants would use in pricing.

The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, note receivable and accounts payable approximated their fair value due to the short-term nature of these items. The carrying value of the Senior Notes approximated its fair value due to the recent issuance (See Note 14). The fair value of the Note payable-related party is de minimis.

Marketable Securities

'

Marketable securities

At December 31, 2012, marketable securities consist of debt securities including U.S. government and agency obligations, corporate obligations and FDIC-insured certificates of deposit, which had stated maturities ranging from three months to less than one year. The Company classified these securities as held-to-maturity since it had the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity. These securities were carried at amortized cost. The changes in the fair value of these marketable securities, other than impairment charges, were not reported in the consolidated financial statements. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, all remaining marketable securities matured and the principal balances were invested into cash and cash equivalents.

Concentration of Credit Risk

'

Concentration of credit risk

The Company’s customers are primarily commercial organizations. Accounts receivable are generally unsecured.

Accounts receivable are due in accordance with payment terms included in contracts negotiated with customers. Amounts due from customers are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company determines its allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time accounts are past due, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligations to the Company, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. The Company writes-off accounts receivable when they are deemed uncollectible.

The following table presents customers with revenues greater than 10% of the Company’s consolidated total revenues for the periods shown:

Three Months ended

Nine Months ended

September 30,

September 30,

2013

2012

2013

2012

Caterpillar Inc.

14.7

%

17.9

%

18.1

%

18.5

%

Komatsu Ltd.

11.8

%

12.3

%

12

%

12

%

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.

*

*

*

10

%

*

Balance is less than 10% of consolidated revenues.

The following table presents customers with accounts receivable greater than 10% of the Company’s consolidated accounts receivable for the periods shown:

September 30,

December 31,

2013

2012

Caterpillar Inc.

23.1

%

24.2

%

The Company does not currently maintain in-orbit insurance coverage for its satellites to address the risk of potential systemic anomalies, failures or catastrophic events affecting its satellite constellation. If the Company experiences significant uninsured losses, such events could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business.

Inventories

'

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventory consists primarily of raw materials and purchased parts to be utilized by its contract manufacturer. The Company reviews inventory quantities on hand and evaluates the realizability of inventories and adjusts the carrying value as necessary based on forecasted product demand. A provision is made for potential losses on slow moving and obsolete inventories when identified.

Warranty Costs

'

Warranty costs

The Company accrues for one-year warranty coverage on product sales estimated at the time of sale based on historical costs to repair or replace products for customers compared to historical product revenues. The warranty accrual is included in accrued liabilities.

Accounting Pronouncements

'

Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists”. Under ASU 2013-11 an entity is required to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, unless certain conditions exist. ASU 2013-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2013-11 on January 1, 2014. The Company does not expect adopting ASU 2013-11 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Basis_of_Presentation_Tables

Basis of Presentation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Customers with Revenues Greater than 10%	'
	The following table presents customers with revenues greater than 10% of the Company’s consolidated total revenues for the periods shown:
			Three Months ended						Nine Months ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Caterpillar Inc.			14.7	%		17.9	%		18.1	%		18.5	%
	Komatsu Ltd.			11.8	%		12.3	%		12	%		12	%
	Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.				*			*			*		10	%
	*	Balance is less than 10% of consolidated revenues.
Customers with Accounts Receivable Greater than 10%	'
	The following table presents customers with accounts receivable greater than 10% of the Company’s consolidated accounts receivable for the periods shown:
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Caterpillar Inc.			23.1	%		24.2	%

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Purchase Price	'
	The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the purchase price:
	Cash	$	3,231
	Issuance of 329,344 shares of common stock (valued at $4.96 per share, which reflects the Company’s common stock closing price on April 1, 2013)		1,634
	Fair value of contingent earn-out amounts		1,539
	Total	$	6,404
Summary of Supplemental Pro Forma Results of GlobalTrak and LMS	'
	The amount of GlobalTrak’s revenues and net loss included in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations from the acquisition date to September 30, 2013 and GlobalTrak and LMS results of operations of the combined entity had the acquisition dates been January 1, 2012, are as follows:
								Net Income (loss)
					Net Income (loss)			Attributable to
					Attributable			ORBCOMM Inc.
		Revenues			ORBCOMM Inc.			Common Stockholders
	Actual from April 4, 2013 to September 30, 2013 (GlobalTrak)	$	3,502		$	(5	)	$	(5	)
	Supplemental pro forma for the three months ended September 30, 2012 (GlobalTrak)	$	16,862		$	1,707		$	1,690
	Supplemental pro forma for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (GlobalTrak)	$	55,636		$	3,126		$	3,080
	Supplemental pro forma for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 (GlobalTrak and LMS)	$	49,420		$	5,589		$	5,536
GlobalTrak [Member]	'
Purchase Price Allocation for Acquisition	'
	The preliminary estimated purchase price allocation for the acquisition is as follows:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,037
	Accounts receivable		343
	Inventory		1,023
	Other current assets		405
	Equipment		13
	Intangible assets		500
	Total identifiable assets acquired		3,321
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(912	)
	Deferred revenues		(1,707	)
	Total liabilities assumed		(2,619	)
	Net identifiable assets acquired		702
	Goodwill		2,202
	Total preliminary purchase price	$	2,904
Summary of Useful Lives of Customer Relationships Based on Customer Attrition	'
	The remaining useful lives of the technology and trade names and trademarks were based on historical product development cycles, the projected rate of technology migration and a market participant’s use of these intangible assets and the pattern of projected economic benefit of these intangible assets.
		Estimated			Amount
		useful life (in
		years)
	Technology		10		$	380
	Trade names and trademarks		5			70
	Customer lists		5			50
					$	500
MobileNet [Member]	'
Purchase Price Allocation for Acquisition	'
	The preliminary estimated purchase price allocation for the acquisition is as follows:
	Accounts receivable	$	363
	Inventory		255
	Other current assets		10
	Intangible assets		3,460
	Total identifiable assets acquired		4,088
	Accrued expenses		(238	)
	Deferred revenues		(346	)
	Total liabilities assumed		(584	)
	Net identifiable assets acquired		3,504
	Goodwill		2,900
	Total preliminary purchase price	$	6,404
Summary of Useful Lives of Customer Relationships Based on Customer Attrition	'
	The remaining useful lives of customer relationships were based on the customer attrition and the projected economic benefit of these customers.
		Estimated
		useful life (in
		years)			Amount
	Customer lists		10		$	2,600
	Technology		10			730
	Trademarks		5			130
					$	3,460

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	'
	The components of the Company’s stock-based compensation expense are presented below:
		Three months ended					Nine months ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013			2012		2013		2012
	Stock appreciation rights	$	407		$	320	$	1,173	$	981
	Restricted stock units		172			87		537		236
	Market performance units		95			—		184		—
	Total	$	674		$	407	$	1,894	$	1,217
Fair Value of Stock Appreciation Rights Estimated Through Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model	'
	The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the time of the grant over the expected term of the SAR grants.
		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013		2012
	Risk-free interest rate	0.91% to 1.99%		0.78% to 1.41%
	Expected life (years)	5.5 and 6.0		5.5 and 6.0
	Estimated volatility factor	68.39% to 69.92%		71.75% to 74.67%
	Expected dividends	None		None
Summary of Stock Options	'
	A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options as of September 30, 2013 is as follows:
		Number			Weighted-		Weighted-		Aggregate
		of Shares			Average		Average		Intrinsic
					Exercise		Remaining		Value (In
					Price		Contractual		thousands)
							Term
							(years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013		737,291		$	2.96
	Granted		—			—
	Exercised		(357,053	)		2.51
	Forfeited or expired		—			—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		380,238		$	3.39		0.64	$	705
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013		380,238		$	3.39		0.64	$	705
	Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2013		380,238		$	3.39		0.64	$	705
Time-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]	'
Summary of Stock Appreciation Rights	'
	A summary of the Company’s time-based SARs for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:
							Weighted-Average
							Remaining		Aggregate
		Number of			Weighted-Average		Contractual		Intrinsic Value
		Shares			Exercise Price		Term (years)		(In thousands)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013		3,422,967		$	3.72
	Granted		375,000			4.77
	Exercised		(306,700	)		2.64
	Forfeited or expired		(112,000	)		3.37
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		3,379,267		$	3.96		6.84	$	4,721
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013		2,275,767		$	3.98		5.77	$	3,240
	Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2013		3,379,267		$	3.96		6.84	$	4,721
Summary of Restricted Stock Units	'
	A summary of the Company’s time-based RSUs for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:
		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant
					Date Fair Value
	Balance at January 1, 2013		88,821		$	3.12
	Granted		80,270			4
	Vested		(73,821	)		3.81
	Forfeited or expired		—			—
	Balance at September 30, 2013		95,270		$	3.33
Performance Units [Member]	'
Summary of Stock Appreciation Rights	'
	A summary of the Company’s performance-based SARs for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:
							Remaining		Aggregate
		Number of			Weighted-Average		Contractual		Intrinsic Value
		Shares			Exercise Price		Term (years)		(In thousands)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013		1,034,025		$	4.88
	Granted		120,500			4.2
	Exercised		(118,025	)		2.95
	Forfeited or expired		(133,437	)		3.36
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		903,063		$	5.27		6.75	$	1,316
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013		792,653		$	5.41		6.34	$	1,201
	Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2013		856,513		$	5.32		6.59	$	1,268
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'
Summary of Restricted Stock Units	'
	A summary of the Company’s performance- based RSUs for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:
		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant
					Date Fair Value
	Balance at January 1, 2013		—		$	—
	Granted		256,000			3.89
	Vested		—			—
	Forfeited or expired		—			—
	Balance at September 30, 2013		256,000		$	3.89

Net_Income_Attributable_to_ORB1

Net Income Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. Common Stockholders (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Summary of Determination of Diluted Income Per Share, Excluding Potentially Dilutive Securities	'
	The potentially dilutive securities excluded from the determination of diluted income per share, as their effect is antidilutive, are as follows:
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	SARs		3,485,738			3,641,702			3,563,308			3,656,531
	RSUs		289,106			29,503			276,950			12,726
	Stock options		235,559			586,426			160,220			591,365
			4,010,403			4,257,631			4,000,478			4,260,622
Summary of Net Income Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc, Common Stockholders	'
	The computation of net income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders is as follows for the three and nine months September 30, 2013 and 2012.
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	$	986		$	2,324		$	3,780		$	6,615
	Preferred stock dividends on Series A convertible preferred stock		(15	)		(17	)		(46	)		(53	)
	Net income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders	$	971		$	2,307		$	3,734		$	6,562

Marketable_Securities_Tables

Marketable Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Summary of Marketable Securities	'
	As of December 31, 2012, the marketable securities were recorded at amortized cost which approximates fair market value which was based on Level 1 inputs. All investments mature in one year or less.
		December 31, 2012
				Gross		Gross
		Fair		Unrealized		Unrealized
		Value		Losses		Gains
	U.S. government and agency obligations	$	13,557	$	—	$	—
	Corporate obligations		8,925		7		—
	FDIC-insured certificates of deposit		5,479		1		—
		$	27,961	$	8	$	—

Satellite_Network_and_Other_Eq1

Satellite Network and Other Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Summary of Satellite Network and Other Equipment	'
	Satellite network and other equipment consisted of the following:
		Useful life		September 30,			December 31,
		(years)		2013			2012
	Land			$	381		$	381
	Satellite network		10-Jan		26,853			24,976
	Capitalized software		7-Mar		4,597			3,009
	Computer hardware		3		2,354			1,852
	Other		7-Feb		2,293			1,703
	Assets under construction				116,031			89,658
					152,509			121,579
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization				(23,353	)		(20,371	)
				$	129,156		$	101,208

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Goodwill	'
	Goodwill consisted of the following:
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	14,740
	Addition resulting from the acquisition of MobileNet		2,900
	Addition resulting from the acquisition of GlobalTrak		2,202
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	19,842
Components of Intangible Assets	'
	The Company’s intangible assets consisted of the following:
				September 30, 2013							December 31, 2012
		Useful life				Accumulated							Accumulated
		(years)		Cost		amortization			Net		Cost		amortization			Net
	Customer lists	10		$	6,470	$	(985	)	$	5,485	$	3,820	$	(776	)	$	3,044
	Patents and technology	5 and 10			5,720		(1,230	)		4,490		4,610		(563	)		4,047
	Trade names and trademarks	2, 5 and 10			1,060		(263	)		797		860		(160	)		700
				$	13,250	$	(2,478	)	$	10,772	$	9,290	$	(1,499	)	$	7,791
Estimated Amortization Expense for Intangible Assets	'
	Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets subsequent to September 30, 2013 is as follows:
	Years ending December 31,
	Remainder of 2013	$	361
	2014		1,415
	2015		1,415
	2016		1,415
	2017		1,273
	Thereafter		4,893
		$	10,772

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Components of Accrued Liabilities	'
	The Company’s accrued liabilities consisted of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Accrued compensation and benefits	$	2,974		$	3,092
	Warranty		2,341			2,762
	Corporate income tax payable		—			843
	Contingent earn-out amounts		33			320
	AIS deployment and license agreement		190			216
	Accrued satellite network and other equipment		6,158			1,559
	Other accrued expenses		2,607			2,479
		$	14,303		$	11,271
Summary of Accrued Warranty Obligations	'
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, changes in accrued warranty obligations consisted of the following:
		September 30,
		2013			2012
	Balance at January 1,	$	2,762		$	2,631
	Warranty liabilities assumed from acquisitions		38			806
	Amortization of fair value adjustment of warranty liabilities acquired through acquisitions		(63	)		(166	)
	Warranty expense		211			296
	Warranty charges		(607	)		(542	)
	Balance at September 30,	$	2,341		$	3,025

Deferred_Revenues_Tables

Deferred Revenues (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]	'
Summary of Deferred Revenues	'
	Deferred revenues consisted of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Service activation fees	$	3,018		$	2,690
	Prepaid services		1,888			1,331
	Prepaid product revenues		293			—
	Warranty revenues		294			332
			5,493			4,353
	Less current portion		(3,266	)		(2,394	)
	Long-term portion	$	2,227		$	1,959

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Summary of Revenues on Percentage Basis by Geographic Regions	'
	The following table summarizes revenues on a percentage basis by geographic regions, based on the country in which the customer is located.
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	United States		84	%		84	%		85	%		82	%
	Japan		9	%		12	%		9	%		15	%
	Other		7	%		4	%		6	%		3	%
			100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%

Overview_Additional_Informatio

Overview - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	Satellite
	Assets
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Number of assets operated communications and broadcasting equipment	25
Number of micro satellites owned	2

Basis_of_Presentation_Addition

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Equity method investments	$0		'		$0		'		$0
Gain/loss from investments	0		0		0		0		'
Acquisition-related costs	$771	[1]	$67	[1]	$1,391	[1]	$700	[1]	'
Maturity period of debt securities, minimum	'		'		'		'		'3 months
Maturity period of debt securities, maximum	'		'		'		'		'1 year
Warranty coverage on product sales estimated	'		'		'1 year		'		'
StarTrak [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Warranty coverage on product sales estimated	'		'		'1 year		'		'
[1]	(1) Stock-based compensation included in costs and expenses: Costs of services $ 81 $ 71 $ 202 $ 185 Costs of product sales 24 5 71 14 Selling, general and administrative 452 290 1,444 913 Product development 117 41 177 105 $ 674 $ 407 $ 1,894 $ 1,217

Basis_of_Presentation_Customer

Basis of Presentation - Customers with Revenues Greater than 10% (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Caterpillar Inc. [Member]	'	'	'	'
Entity Wide Portfolio Carrying Amount, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Customers with revenues greater than 10%	14.70%	17.90%	18.10%	18.50%
Komatsu Ltd. [Member]	'	'	'	'
Entity Wide Portfolio Carrying Amount, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Customers with revenues greater than 10%	11.80%	12.30%	12.00%	12.00%
Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. [Member]	'	'	'	'
Entity Wide Portfolio Carrying Amount, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Customers with revenues greater than 10%	'	'	'	10.00%

Basis_of_Presentation_Customer1

Basis of Presentation - Customers with Revenues Greater than 10% (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Customers with revenues less than 10%	10.00%

Basis_of_Presentation_Customer2

Basis of Presentation - Customers with Accounts Receivable Greater than 10% (Detail) (Caterpillar Inc. [Member])	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Caterpillar Inc. [Member]	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Customers with accounts receivable greater than 10%	23.10%	24.20%

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

GlobalTrak [Member]

GlobalTrak [Member]

MobileNet [Member]

MobileNet [Member]

MobileNet [Member]

MobileNet [Member]

LMS [Member]

LMS [Member]

LMS [Member]

Warranty Obligations [Member]

Relating to Fuel Sensor [Member]

Relating to Fuel Sensor [Member]

Relating to Fuel Sensor [Member]

Relating to Fuel Sensor [Member]

Sensor Enabled Notification System [Member]

PAR [Member]

PAR [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Second Condition [Member]

First Condition [Member]

GlobalTrak [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash

'

'

'

$2,990

'

$3,231

'

'

'

$4,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,978

'

'

'

Acquisition effective date

'

'

'

3-Apr-13

'

1-Apr-13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Oct-13

'

'

'

Cash deposited in escrow with third party escrow agent

'

'

500

500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount available to pay indemnification obligations

'

'

500

500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Working capital adjustment

'

'

86

'

28

'

'

'

'

112

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Measurement period for goodwill adjustment

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discount rate to reflect risk characteristics of intangible assets

'

'

'

37.00%

'

24.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount deposited in escrow account

'

'

500

500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Escrow disbursement agreement

'

'

'

'one-half of the $500, less the aggregate amount of claims made by the Company against SPC six months from April 3, 2013

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Escrow amount to be released

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250

Common stock, shares issued

47,733,787

46,783,568

'

'

329,344

329,344

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock issued, per share

'

'

'

'

$4.96

$4.96

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Earn-out payment

'

'

'

'

'

2,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Earn-out payment percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

35.00%

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Potential earn-out amounts paid in common stock at Company's option

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Average closing price of distribution event

'20 days

'

'

'

'

'20 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Potential earn-out amount payment, description

'Within 30 days

'

'

'

'Contingent consideration payable by the Company to MobileNet if service revenues attributable to the MobileNet business for either of the two one year earn-out periods May 1, 2013 through April 30, 2014 and May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2015 are in excess of the specified baseline amount.

'Contingent consideration payable by the Company to MobileNet if service revenues attributable to the MobileNet business for either of the two one year earn-out periods May 1, 2013 through April 30, 2014 and May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2015 are in excess of the specified baseline amount.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liability for earn-out payment

'

'

'

'

1,539

1,539

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Portion of earn-out in accrued liabilities

'

'

'

'

33

33

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Portion of earn-out in other liabilities

'

'

'

'

1,573

1,573

'

'

370

370

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discount percentage

19.00%

'

'

'

18.00%

18.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Changes in fair value of earn-out amounts

'

'

'

'

67

67

'

'

220

220

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares deposited into escrow account

'

'

'

'

164,672

164,672

'

'

387,097

387,097

166,611

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Period for amount kept in escrow account

'Up to fifteen months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Up to fifteen months

'Up to fifteen months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of Company's common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

645,162

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional consideration paid for contingent payments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,950

3,950

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consideration paid for contingent payments based on achieving subscriber targets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000

3,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consideration paid for contingent payments based on achieving sales targets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

950

950

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock issuance term, description

'20-day average closing price ending on the third trading day preceding the date of payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Result of lower sales targets achievement than the targets

950

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount released from escrow

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

843

'

'

Claim made against PAR under the escrow agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

285

'

Indemnification claim recorded in escrow account

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

285

'

'

Warranty coverage on accrued product

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Coverage percentage of certain costs relating to fuel sensor warranty obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum amount of warranty expenses and fuel sensors to issue notice

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of the fuel sensor damages for the calculation of number of shares issuable to escrow agent

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock share issued valued at per share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3.00

'

$3.00

'

'

'

'

'

Portion of earn out in other liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

547

'

547

'

'

'

'

'

Gain on fair value of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$78

$50

$138

$78

'

'

'

'

Acquisitions_Purchase_Price_Al

Acquisitions - Purchase Price Allocation for Acquisition (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
GlobalTrak [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,037
Accounts receivable	343
Inventory	1,023
Other current assets	405
Equipment	13
Intangible assets	500
Total identifiable assets acquired	3,321
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-912
Deferred revenues	-1,707
Total liabilities assumed	-2,619
Net identifiable assets acquired	702
Goodwill	2,202
Total preliminary purchase price	2,904
MobileNet [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Accounts receivable	363
Inventory	255
Other current assets	10
Intangible assets	3,460
Total identifiable assets acquired	4,088
Accrued expenses	-238
Deferred revenues	-346
Total liabilities assumed	-584
Net identifiable assets acquired	3,504
Goodwill	2,900
Total preliminary purchase price	$6,404

Acquisitions_Summary_of_Useful

Acquisitions - Summary of Useful Lives of Customer Relationships Based on Customer Attrition (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Trade Names and Trademarks [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life (in years)	'5 years
Customer Lists [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life (in years)	'10 years
GlobalTrak [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Total intangible assets	500
GlobalTrak [Member] | Technology [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life (in years)	'10 years
Total intangible assets	380
GlobalTrak [Member] | Trade Names and Trademarks [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life (in years)	'5 years
Total intangible assets	70
GlobalTrak [Member] | Customer Lists [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life (in years)	'5 years
Total intangible assets	50
MobileNet [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Total intangible assets	3,460
MobileNet [Member] | Technology [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life (in years)	'10 years
Total intangible assets	730
MobileNet [Member] | Trade Names and Trademarks [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life (in years)	'5 years
Total intangible assets	130
MobileNet [Member] | Customer Lists [Member]	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life (in years)	'10 years
Total intangible assets	2,600

Acquisitions_Summary_of_Estima

Acquisitions - Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Purchase Price (Detail) (MobileNet [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
MobileNet [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Cash	$3,231
Issuance of 329,344 shares of common stock (valued at $4.96 per share, which reflects the Company's common stock closing price on April 1, 2013)	1,634
Fair value of contingent earn-out amounts	1,539
Net identifiable assets acquired	$6,404

Acquisitions_Summary_of_Estima1

Acquisitions - Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Purchase Price (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	47,733,787	46,783,568
MobileNet [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	329,344	'
Common stock issued, per share	4.96	'

Acquisitions_Summary_of_Supple

Acquisitions - Summary of Supplemental Pro Forma Results of GlobalTrak and LMS (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
					GlobalTrak [Member]	GlobalTrak [Member]	GlobalTrak [Member]	GlobalTrak and LMS [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$986	$2,324	$3,780	$6,615	$16,862	$3,502	$55,636	$49,420
Net Income (loss) Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	971	2,307	3,734	6,562	1,707	-5	3,126	5,589
Net Income (loss) Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. Common Stockholders	'	'	'	'	$1,690	($5)	$3,080	$5,536

Satcom_International_Group_plc1

Satcom International Group plc ("Satcom") - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on extinguishment of debt	'	'	'	$1,062
Satcom International Group plc [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling ownership interests	48.00%	'	'	'
Purchase noncontrolling ownership interests	1,119	'	'	'
Cash	119	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock	263,133	'	'	'
Common stock per share price	$3.80	'	'	'
Transaction fees	80	'	'	'
Increase in noncontrolling interests	'	'	180	'
Increase in accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	16	'
Decrease in additional paid-in capital	'	'	395	'
Payment made to note holders	'	253	'	253
Payment made to related-party creditor	'	43	'	43
Outstanding principal and accrued interest	'	1,340	'	1,340
Outstanding principal and accrued interest owed to the related-party	'	290	'	290
Gain on extinguishment of debt	'	1,062	'	'
Expenses related to extinguishment of debt	'	24	'	'
Payment made to trade creditor	'	'	'	128
Outstanding trade payables	'	256	'	256
Reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses	'	'	'	$128

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

2006 LTIP [Member]

2004 Stock Option Plan [Member]

Time-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]

Time-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]

Time-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]

Time-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]

Performance-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]

Performance-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]

Performance-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]

Performance-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]

Time-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Time-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Time-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Time-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Performance Units [Member]

Performance Units [Member]

Performance Units [Member]

Performance Units [Member]

Performance Units [Member]

Market Performance Units [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares available for grant

'

'

'

'

3,590,651

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation expense

$674

$407

$1,894

$1,217

'

'

$363

$182

$1,007

$570

$44

$138

$166

$411

$145

$87

$285

$236

$27

$252

$95

$184

'

'

'

'

Stock based compensation, Capitalized

35

24

86

61

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation costs for all share-based payment arrangements

1,903

'

1,903

'

'

'

1,414

'

1,414

'

94

'

94

'

137

'

137

'

258

258

'

'

'

'

'

'

Company granted time-based SARs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

375,000

'

'

'

120,500

'

'

'

80,270

'

'

256,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Company time-based SARs vesting period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Through June 2016

'

'

'

'First quarter of 2014

'

'

'

'Through December 2015

'

'

'First quarter of 2014

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-average grant date fair value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2.96

'

'

'

$2.52

'

'

'

$3.81

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercised intrinsic value

'

'

'

'

'

880

584

'

584

'

175

'

175

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares vested

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

58.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of shares vesting during period on stock units

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

49.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum percentage of MPUs for senior executives

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15.00%

'

'

'

Term of MPUs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

Fair value period of MPUs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

Risk-free interest rate of MPUs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.03%

0.46%

'

Estimated volatility factor of MPUs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.40%

'

'

'

'

Expected dividend of MPUs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

'

'

'

'

StockBased_Compensation_StockB

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$674	$407	$1,894	$1,217
Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	407	320	1,173	981
Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	172	87	537	236
Market Performance Units [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$95	'	$184	'

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Appreciation Rights (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Time-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of Shares, Beginning balance	3,422,967
Number of Shares, Granted	375,000
Number of Shares, Exercised	-306,700
Number of Shares, Forfeited or expired	-112,000
Number of Shares, Ending balance	3,379,267
Number of Shares, Exercisable	2,275,767
Number of Shares, Vested and expected to vest	3,379,267
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding beginning balance	$3.72
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Granted	$4.77
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$2.64
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Forfeited or expired	$3.37
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding ending balance	$3.96
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercisable	$3.98
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Vested and expected to vest	$3.96
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Outstanding ending balance	'6 years 10 months 2 days
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable	'5 years 9 months 7 days
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Vested and expected to vest	'6 years 10 months 2 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding ending balance	$4,721
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	3,240
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested and expected to vest	4,721
Performance-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of Shares, Beginning balance	1,034,025
Number of Shares, Granted	120,500
Number of Shares, Exercised	-118,025
Number of Shares, Forfeited or expired	-133,437
Number of Shares, Ending balance	903,063
Number of Shares, Exercisable	792,653
Number of Shares, Vested and expected to vest	856,513
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding beginning balance	$4.88
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Granted	$4.20
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$2.95
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Forfeited or expired	$3.36
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding ending balance	$5.27
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercisable	$5.41
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Vested and expected to vest	$5.32
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Outstanding ending balance	'6 years 9 months
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable	'6 years 4 months 2 days
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Vested and expected to vest	'6 years 7 months 2 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding ending balance	1,316
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	1,201
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested and expected to vest	$1,268

StockBased_Compensation_Fair_V

Stock-Based Compensation - Fair Value of Stock Appreciation Rights Estimated Through Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share Based Payment Award Stock Options Valuation Assumptions [Line Items]	'	'
Risk-free interest rate, Minimum	0.91%	0.78%
Estimated volatility factor, Minimum	68.39%	71.75%
Risk-free interest rate, Maximum	1.99%	1.41%
Estimated volatility factor, Maximum	69.92%	74.67%
Expected dividends	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Share Based Payment Award Stock Options Valuation Assumptions [Line Items]	'	'
Expected life (years)	'6 years	'6 years
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Share Based Payment Award Stock Options Valuation Assumptions [Line Items]	'	'
Expected life (years)	'5 years 6 months	'5 years 6 months

StockBased_Compensation_Summar1

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Restricted Stock Units (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Time-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'
Performance Restricted Stock Units [Line Items]	'
Number of Shares, Beginning balance	88,821
Number of Shares, Granted	80,270
Number of Shares, Vested	-73,821
Number of Shares, Forfeited or expired	'
Number of Shares, Ending balance	95,270
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning balance	$3.12
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$4
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$3.81
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited or expired	'
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending balance	$3.33
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'
Performance Restricted Stock Units [Line Items]	'
Number of Shares, Beginning balance	'
Number of Shares, Granted	256,000
Number of Shares, Vested	'
Number of Shares, Forfeited or expired	'
Number of Shares, Ending balance	256,000
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning balance	'
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$3.89
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	'
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited or expired	'
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending balance	$3.89

StockBased_Compensation_Summar2

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Options (Detail) (2004 Stock Option Plan [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
2004 Stock Option Plan [Member]	'
Stock Options [Line Items]	'
Number of Shares, Outstanding beginning balance	737,291
Number of Shares, Granted	'
Number of Shares, Exercised	-357,053
Number of Shares, Forfeited or expired	'
Number of Shares, Outstanding ending balance	380,238
Number of Shares, Exercisable	380,238
Number of Shares, Vested and expected to vest	380,238
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding beginning balance	$2.96
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Granted	'
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$2.51
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Forfeited or expired	'
Weighted-Average Exercise price, Outstanding ending balance	$3.39
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercisable	$3.39
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Vested and expected to vest	$3.39
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Outstanding ending balance	'7 months 21 days
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable	'7 months 21 days
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Vested and expected to vest	'7 months 21 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding ending balance	$705
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	705
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested and expected to vest	$705

Net_Income_Attributable_to_ORB2

Net Income Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. Common Stockholders - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Dilutive Securities Included And Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	48,728,000	47,559,000	48,475,000	47,432,000
Series A convertible preferred stock in diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	214,910	'	214,910	'
Satcom International Group plc [Member]	'	'	'	'
Dilutive Securities Included And Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	1,003,435	817,066	1,013,360	814,073

Net_Income_Attributable_to_ORB3

Net Income Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. Common Stockholders - Summary of Determination of Diluted Income Per Share, Excluding Potentially Dilutive Securities (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities	4,010,403	4,257,631	4,000,478	4,260,622
Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities	3,485,738	3,641,702	3,563,308	3,656,531
Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities	289,106	29,503	276,950	12,726
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities	235,559	586,426	160,220	591,365

Net_Income_Attributable_to_ORB4

Net Income Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. Common Stockholders - Summary of Net Income Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc, Common Stockholders (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	$986	$2,324	$3,780	$6,615
Preferred stock dividends on Series A convertible preferred stock	-15	-17	-46	-53
Net income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders	$971	$2,307	$3,734	$6,562

Marketable_Securities_Summary_

Marketable Securities - Summary of Marketable Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value	$27,961
Gross Unrealized Losses	8
Gross Unrealized Gains	'
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]	'
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value	13,557
Gross Unrealized Losses	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	'
Corporate Obligations [Member]	'
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value	8,925
Gross Unrealized Losses	7
Gross Unrealized Gains	'
FDIC-Insured Certificates of Deposit [Member]	'
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value	5,479
Gross Unrealized Losses	1
Gross Unrealized Gains	'

Marketable_Securities_Addition

Marketable Securities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	$8

Satellite_Network_and_Other_Eq2

Satellite Network and Other Equipment - Summary of Satellite Network and Other Equipment (Detail) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Land [Member]

Land [Member]

Satellite Network [Member]

Satellite Network [Member]

Satellite Network [Member]

Satellite Network [Member]

Capitalized Software [Member]

Capitalized Software [Member]

Capitalized Software [Member]

Capitalized Software [Member]

Computer Hardware [Member]

Computer Hardware [Member]

Computer Hardware [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Other [Member]

Assets under Construction [Member]

Assets under Construction [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property, plant and equipment, useful life

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'10 years

'

'

'3 years

'7 years

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'2 years

'7 years

'

'

Property, plant and equipment, gross

$152,509

$121,579

$381

$381

$26,853

$24,976

'

'

$4,597

$3,009

'

'

$2,354

$1,852

'

$2,293

$1,703

'

'

$116,031

$89,658

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

-23,353

-20,371

'

'

'

-14,550

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property, plant and equipment, net

$129,156

$101,208

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Satellite_Network_and_Other_Eq3

Satellite Network and Other Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	$1,223	$1,034	$3,235	$2,712	'
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	23,353	'	23,353	'	20,371
Satellite Network [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	14,550
Capitalized Software [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Company capitalized costs attributable to the design and development of internal-use software	'	'	1,259	569	'
Amortization of internal-use software	$234	$107	$462	$287	'

Restricted_Cash_Additional_Inf

Restricted Cash - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
				Cash Collateral [Member]
				Satellite
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restricted cash	'	'	'	$2,000
Authorized next generation satellites	'	'	'	18
Amount of cash collateral to be reduced upon completion of specified milestones	-1,025	'	'	1,000
Restricted cash classified the remaining non-current asset	'	$2,000	$2,000	'

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Components of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			MobileNet [Member]	GlobalTrak [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$19,842	$14,740	'	'
Addition resulting from the acquisition	'	'	2,900	2,202
Ending balance	$19,842	$14,740	'	'

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
			Segment
Intangible Assets Goodwill And Other Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments goodwill is allocated	'	'	1	'
Weighted-average amortization period intangible assets	'	'	'9 years 8 months 12 days	'
Amortization of intangible assets	$362	$256	$979	$768
Acquired goodwill [Member]	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets Goodwill And Other Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments goodwill is allocated	'	'	1	'
Customer Lists [Member]	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets Goodwill And Other Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average amortization period intangible assets	'	'	'10 years	'
Patents and Technology [Member]	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets Goodwill And Other Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average amortization period intangible assets	'	'	'9 years 6 months	'
Trade Names and Trademarks [Member]	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets Goodwill And Other Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average amortization period intangible assets	'	'	'8 years 9 months 18 days	'

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Components of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite lived intangible assets cost	$13,250	$9,290
Finite lived intangible assets accumulated amortization	-2,478	-1,499
Finite lived intangible assets, Net	10,772	7,791
Customer Lists [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Useful life	'10 years	'
Finite lived intangible assets cost	6,470	3,820
Finite lived intangible assets accumulated amortization	-985	-776
Finite lived intangible assets, Net	5,485	3,044
Patents and Technology [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite lived intangible assets cost	5,720	4,610
Finite lived intangible assets accumulated amortization	-1,230	-563
Finite lived intangible assets, Net	4,490	4,047
Patents and Technology [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Useful life	'5 years	'
Patents and Technology [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Useful life	'10 years	'
Trade Names and Trademarks [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Useful life	'5 years	'
Finite lived intangible assets cost	1,060	860
Finite lived intangible assets accumulated amortization	-263	-160
Finite lived intangible assets, Net	$797	$700
Trade Names and Trademarks [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Useful life	'2 years	'
Trade Names and Trademarks [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Useful life	'10 years	'

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets5

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expense for Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Remainder of 2013	$361	'
2014	1,415	'
2015	1,415	'
2016	1,415	'
2017	1,273	'
Thereafter	4,893	'
Finite lived intangible assets, Net	$10,772	$7,791

Accrued_Liabilities_Components

Accrued Liabilities - Components of Accrued Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued compensation and benefits	$2,974	$3,092
Warranty	2,341	2,762
Corporate income tax payable	'	843
Contingent earn-out amounts	33	320
AIS deployment and license agreement	190	216
Accrued satellite network and other equipment	6,158	1,559
Other accrued expenses	2,607	2,479
Total accrued liabilities	$14,303	$11,271

Accrued_Liabilities_Summary_of

Accrued Liabilities - Summary of Accrued Warranty Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Balance at January 1,	$2,762	$2,631
Warranty liabilities assumed from acquisitions	38	806
Amortization of fair value adjustment of warranty liabilities acquired through acquisitions	-63	-166
Warranty expense	211	296
Warranty charges	-607	-542
Balance at September 30,	$2,341	$3,025

Deferred_Revenues_Summary_of_D

Deferred Revenues - Summary of Deferred Revenues (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Service activation fees	$3,018	$2,690
Prepaid services	1,888	1,331
Prepaid product revenues	293	'
Warranty revenues	294	332
Total deferred revenue	5,493	4,353
Less current portion	-3,266	-2,394
Long-term portion	$2,227	$1,959

Note_PayableRelated_Party_Addi

Note Payable-Related Party - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
	USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)	EUR (€)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Principal balance of the note payable	'	€ 1,138	'	€ 1,138
Carrying value note payable	$1,537	'	$1,503	'
Note payable estimated life	'6 years	'6 years	'	'

Notes_Payable_Additional_Infor

Notes Payable - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 04, 2013	16-May-11	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6% Secured Promissory Note [Member]	6% Secured Promissory Note [Member]	9.5% Senior Secured Notes [Member]	9.5% Senior Secured Notes [Member]	9.5% Senior Secured Notes [Member]	9.5% Senior Secured Notes [Member]
					Maximum [Member]	Minimum [Member]
Debt Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of senior secured notes	'	$3,900	$45,000	$45,000	'	'
Note bore interest rate	'	6.00%	9.50%	9.50%	'	'
Senior secured notes maturity date	'	'	'	4-Jan-18	'	'
Available liquidity	'	'	10,000	10,000	'	'
Leverage ratio	'	'	'	'	4.5	1
Debt issuance costs	'	'	'	1,333	'	'
Amortization of debt issuance costs	'	'	66	197	'	'
Issuance secured promissory rate	'	6.00%	'	'	'	'
Unpaid principal amount	$3,450	'	'	'	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'
Common stock, capital shares reserved for future issuances	8,604,489
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'
Preferred stock, conversion basis	37,017
Common stock, conversion basis	61,673
Preferred stock dividends, shares	4,647
Preferred stock, amount of preferred dividends in arrears	$13

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segments	1

Segment_Information_Summary_of

Segment Information - Summary of Revenues on Percentage Basis by Geographic Regions (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues on a percentage basis by geographic regions, based on the country	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues on a percentage basis by geographic regions, based on the country	84.00%	84.00%	85.00%	82.00%
Japan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues on a percentage basis by geographic regions, based on the country	9.00%	12.00%	9.00%	15.00%
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenues on a percentage basis by geographic regions, based on the country	7.00%	4.00%	6.00%	3.00%

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income tax provision	$254	$284	$603	$1,080
Goodwill generated from the acquisitions	87	65	239	196
Unrecognized tax benefits	775	'	775	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, period change	'	'	0	'
Interest and penalties, Unrecognized tax benefits	0	'	0	'
ORBCOMM Japan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income tax provision	254	284	603	1,080
Foreign income tax expense	$167	$219	$364	$884

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jul. 03, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 21, 2012

5-May-08

Aug. 31, 2010

Aug. 31, 2008

Aug. 28, 2009

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2010

Aug. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

5-May-08

5-May-08

Falcon 9 Agreement [Member]

Falcon 9 Agreement [Member]

Secondary Payload Launch Services Agreement [Member]

Procurement Agreement [Member]

Procurement Agreement [Member]

Procurement Agreement [Member]

Procurement Agreement [Member]

Procurement Agreement [Member]

Procurement Agreement [Member]

Procurement Agreement [Member]

Procurement Agreement [Member]

Procurement Agreement [Member]

Procurement Agreement [Member]

Procurement Agreement [Member]

Procurement Agreement [Member]

Procurement Agreement [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Satellite

SNC [Member]

SNC [Member]

SNC [Member]

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) [Member]

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) [Member]

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) [Member]

Launch Activities [Member]

Engineering Changes [Member]

Airtime [Member]

Airtime [Member]

Airtime [Member]

Airtime [Member]

Europe [Member]

Procurement Agreement [Member]

Procurement Agreement [Member]

Agreement

Satellite

SNC [Member]

SNC [Member]

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) [Member]

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) [Member]

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) [Member]

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) [Member]

Airtime [Member]

SNC [Member]

SNC [Member]

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) [Member]

Satellite

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total contract price under agreement

'

'

'

$42,600

$4,000

$117,000

'

'

$46,600

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Delayed shipset

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'60 days

'120 days

Incentive payments

'

'

'

'

'

1,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Low-earth-orbit satellites

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost reimbursable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,110

317

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of credit available

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,528

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional task order agreements

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed fee included in price for the work task order

521

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of satellites

'

'

17

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30

Milestone payments

'

58,500

33,210

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Milestone payments during remainder

'

4,680

5,935

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit provided

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8

8

23

24

3,736

'

'

Unused credits granted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,105

$2,128

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'