Orbcomm (ORBC) 10-Q 7 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	1-May-15
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	ORBC
Entity Registrant Name	ORBCOMM Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1361983
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		70,415,079

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$80,692	$91,565
Cash held for acquisition		123,000
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $836 and $706, respectively	26,876	23,194
Inventories	15,765	11,650
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,771	2,333
Deferred income taxes	3,208	814
Total current assets	132,312	252,556
Satellite network and other equipment, net	188,461	180,621
Goodwill	102,734	39,870
Intangible assets, net	96,879	26,334
Restricted cash	1,195	1,195
Other assets	8,024	5,921
Deferred income taxes	51	51
Total assets	529,656	506,548
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	8,668	8,750
Accrued liabilities	27,020	20,336
Current portion of deferred revenue	3,936	3,525
Total current liabilities	39,624	32,611
Note payable - related party	1,241	1,389
Note payable	150,000	150,000
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	2,342	2,579
Deferred tax liabilities	21,997	5,696
Other liabilities	7,484	5,764
Total liabilities	222,688	198,039
Commitments and contingencies
ORBCOMM Inc. stockholders' equity
Preferred Stock Series A, par value $0.001; 1,000,000 shares authorized; 91,875 and 90,973 shares issued and outstanding	918	909
Common stock, par value $0.001; 250,000,000 share authorized; 70,441,671 and 70,109,488 shares issued at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	70	70
Additional paid-in capital	377,981	376,297
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-1,131	-583
Accumulated deficit	-71,019	-68,137
Less treasury stock, at cost; 29,990 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	-96	-96
Total ORBCOMM Inc. stockholders' equity	306,723	308,460
Noncontrolling interest	245	49
Total equity	306,968	308,509
Total liabilities and equity	$529,656	$506,548

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowances for doubtful accounts	$836	$706
Preferred Stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued	91,875	90,973
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	91,875	90,973
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	70,441,671	70,109,488
Treasury stock, shares	29,990	29,990

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Service revenues	$23,774	$14,426
Product sales	18,556	4,924
Total revenues	42,330	19,350
Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below:
Cost of services	7,704	5,070
Cost of product sales	13,948	4,027
Gross profit	20,678	10,253
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	11,441	6,806
Product development	1,608	679
Depreciation and amortization	6,455	1,799
Acquisition-related and integration costs	2,451	1,184
Loss from operations	-1,277	-215
Other income (expense):
Interest income	71	2
Other income	188	-16
Interest expense	-1,242	-2
Total other income (expense)	-983	-16
Loss before income taxes	-2,260	-231
Income taxes	477	173
Net loss	-2,737	-404
Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	136	27
Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	-2,873	-431
Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders	($2,882)	($441)
Per share information-basic:
Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders	($0.04)	($0.01)
Per share information-diluted:
Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders	($0.04)	($0.01)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	70,238	53,213
Diluted	70,238	53,213

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	($2,737)	($404)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-488
Other comprehensive loss	-488
Comprehensive loss	-3,225	-404
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	196	-28
Comprehensive loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	($3,029)	($432)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	($2,737)	($404)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts	200	73
Change in the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration	-93	-563
Amortization of the fair value adjustment related to warranty liabilities acquired through acquisitions	-12	-19
Amortization of deferred financing fees	110
Depreciation and amortization	6,455	1,799
Stock-based compensation	1,131	881
Foreign exchange (gains) losses	-532	16
Increase in fair value of indemnification assets		-126
Loss on settlement agreement in connection with the indemnification assets		97
Deferred income taxes	432	63
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Accounts receivable	10,946	891
Inventories	-3,004	-34
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-1,351	-300
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-6,538	-1,100
Deferred revenue	-318	288
Other liabilities	130	146
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,819	1,708
Cash flows from investing activities, net of acquisition:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	-133,707	-28,883
Capital expenditures	-4,171	-3,804
Cash released from escrow for acquisition	123,000
Proceeds received from settlement agreement in connection with the indemnification assets		691
Net cash used in investing activities	-14,878	-31,996
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds received from issuance of common stock in connection with public offering, net of underwriters' discounts and commissions and offering costs of $2,228		36,607
Proceeds received from issuance of long-term debt	10,000
Cash paid for debt issuance costs	-842
Proceeds received from exercise of stock options	244	62
Principal payment of revolving credit facility	-10,000
Principal payments of capital leases	-24	-45
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-622	36,624
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-192	-20
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-10,873	6,316
Beginning of period	91,565	68,354
End of period	80,692	74,670
Cash paid for
Interest	2,332	1,069
Income taxes	364	101
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures incurred not yet paid	3,186	950
Stock-based compensation included in capital expenditures	28	61
Series A convertible preferred stock dividend paid in-kind	9	10
Issuance of common stock as consideration for acquisition of Euroscan		2,243
Common stock issued as form of payment for MPUs	358	213
Acquisition-related contingent consideration	$542	$4,800

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Underwriters' discounts and commissions and offering costs	$2,228	$2,228

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (USD $)	Total	Euroscan Holding B.V. [Member]	Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [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					Euroscan Holding B.V. [Member]		Euroscan Holding B.V. [Member]
Beginning balances at Dec. 31, 2013	$192,948		$1,019	$48		$255,358		$235	($63,416)	($96)	($200)
Beginning balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2013			102,054	48,216,480						29,990
Vesting of restricted stock units, shares				281,208
Stock-based compensation	838					838
Proceeds received from issuance of common stock in connection with public offering, net of underwriters' discounts and commissions and offering costs of $2,228	36,607			6		36,601
Proceeds received from issuance of common stock in connection with public offering, net of underwriters' discounts and commissions and offering costs, shares				6,325,000
Common stock issued as form of payment for MPUs	213					213
Common stock issued as form of payment for MPUs, shares				33,594
Conversion of Series A convertible preferred stock to common stock			-98			98
Conversion of Series A convertible preferred stock to common stock, shares			-9,836	16,387
Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition	2,243	2,243			1		2,242
Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition, shares					291,230
Series A convertible preferred stock dividend			10						-10
Series A convertible preferred stock dividend, shares			1,014
Exercise of SARs, shares				26,636
Exercise of stock options	62					62
Exercise of stock options, shares				20,792
Net income (loss)	-404								-431		27
Foreign currency translation adjustments								-1			1
Ending balances at Mar. 31, 2014	232,507		931	55		295,412		234	-63,857	-96	-172
Ending balances, shares at Mar. 31, 2014			93,232	55,211,327						29,990
Beginning balances at Dec. 31, 2014	308,509		909	70		376,297		-583	-68,137	-96	49
Beginning balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2014			90,973	70,109,488						29,990
Vesting of restricted stock units, shares				227,382
Stock-based compensation	1,082					1,082
Common stock issued as form of payment for MPUs	358					358
Common stock issued as form of payment for MPUs, shares				54,801
Series A convertible preferred stock dividend			9						-9
Series A convertible preferred stock dividend, shares			902
Exercise of stock options	244					244
Exercise of stock options, shares				50,000
Net income (loss)	-2,737								-2,873		136
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-488							-548			60
Ending balances at Mar. 31, 2015	$306,968		$918	$70		$377,981		($1,131)	($71,019)	($96)	$245
Ending balances, shares at Mar. 31, 2015			91,875	70,441,671						29,990

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Underwriters' discounts and commissions and offering costs	$2,228	$2,228

Organization_and_Business

Organization and Business	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization and Business	1. Organization and Business
	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 30 owned low-Earth orbit, or LEO, satellites, comprised of 24 first generation satellites and six next-generation satellites placed into service in September 2014, one AIS microsatellite and accompanying ground infrastructure, as well as 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 for connectivity, and cellular wireless subscriber identity modules (“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”).

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Principles	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Principles	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Principles
	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, 2014. In the opinion of management, the financial statements as of March 31, 2015 and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 include all adjustments (including normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income 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.
	Financial Statement Revision
	The Company has included an immaterial correction of certain expenditures in its consolidated statement of cash flows between cash used in operating activities and cash used in investing activities as previously reported for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. This revision is consistent with what was disclosed in the Company’s fiscal year 2014 consolidated statement of cash flows.
	This revision does not affect the Company’s previously reported consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of income, including earnings per share, changes in stockholders’ equity or total cash flows in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
	A summary of the effects of this revision are as follows ($ in thousands):
		Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
		Increase (Decrease) in cash
		As Previously			After Revision
		Reported			March 31, 2014
		March 31, 2014
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	(2,169	)	$	(1,100	)
	Net cash provided by operating activities		639			1,708
	Cash flows from investing activities, net of acquisition:
	Capital expenditures		(2,735	)		(3,804	)
	Net cash used in investing activities	$	(30,927	)	$	(31,996	)
	Investments
	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. When the Company does not exercise significant influence over the investee the investment is accounted under the cost method.
	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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The Company has no guarantees or other funding obligations to those entities. The Company had no equity in income or losses of those investees for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Acquisition-related and Integration Costs
	Acquisition-related and integration costs are expensed as incurred and are presented separately on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. These costs may include professional services expenses and identifiable integration costs directly relating to acquisitions.
	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. Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 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 Secured Credit Facilities, as defined below, approximated its fair value due to its recent issuance.
	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.
	There were no customers with revenues greater than 10% of the Company’s consolidated total revenues as of March 31, 2015. The following table presents customers with revenues greater than 10% of the Company’s consolidated total revenues for March 31, 2014:
		Three Months ended
		March 31, 2014
	Caterpillar Inc.		14.4	%
	Komatsu Ltd.		12.1	%
	The following table presents customers with accounts receivable greater than 10% of the Company’s consolidated accounts receivable for the periods shown:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Walmart Stores, Inc.		—			15	%
	Caterpillar Inc.		10.7	%		13.6	%
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company did not maintain in-orbit insurance coverage for its first generation satellites to address the risk of potential systemic anomalies, failures or catastrophic events affecting its satellite constellation. The Company maintains in-orbit insurance coverage over its next-generation satellites, as described in “Note 15 – Commitments and Contingencies.”
	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventory consists primarily of finished goods, 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 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 on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Refer to “Note 8 – Accrued Liabilities” for more information.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-03 “Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) – Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” (“ASU 2015-03”), which is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. ASU 2015-03 simplifies financial reporting by eliminating the different presentation requirements for debt issuance costs and debt discounts or premiums. The adoption of this standard, which will be applied retrospectively, will not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	3. Acquisitions
	SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc.
	On January 1, 2015, pursuant to an Arrangement Agreement dated November 1, 2014, among the Company, the Company’s acquisition subsidiary, SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. (“SkyWave”) and the representatives of certain SkyWave shareholders, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of SkyWave for total consideration of $130,503, subject to net working capital adjustments, consisting of (i) $123,003 cash consideration, of which $11,103 was deposited in escrow in connection with certain indemnification obligations; and (ii) $7,500 in the form of a promissory note settled by the transfer of assets to Inmarsat Global Limited (“Inmarsat”) pursuant to an agreement with Inmarsat (the “SkyWave Acquisition”). The $7,500 note was not considered part of the purchase price for accounting purposes. Net revenues generated from the SkyWave acquisition represented $14,638 of our consolidated net revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.
	Preliminary Estimated Purchase Price Allocation
	The transaction has been accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC Topic 805 “Business Combinations.” This method requires that assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date (the “Acquisition Method”). The excess of the purchase price over the 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 total consideration for the SkyWave Acquisition was $123,003 in a debt-free cash-free transaction. The preliminary purchase price allocation for the acquisition, net of the assets transferred to Inmarsat, is as follows:
		Amount
	Cash	$	110
	Accounts receivable		13,898
	Inventory		1,335
	Other current assets		2,180
	Property, plant and equipment		4,769
	Intangible assets		67,214
	Other noncurrent assets		6,143
	Total identifiable assets acquired		95,649
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		9,983
	Deferred revenues		340
	Other liabilities		1,168
	Deferred tax liabilities		18,635
	Total liabilities assumed		30,126
	Net identifiable assets acquired		65,523
	Goodwill		57,480
	Total purchase price	$	123,003
	Intangible Assets
	The estimated fair value of the technology and trademark intangible assets was determined using the “relief from royalty method” under the income approach, which is a valuation technique that provides an estimate of the fair value of an asset based on the costs savings that are available through ownership of the asset by the avoidance of paying royalties to license the use of the assets from another owner (the “Technology and Trademark Valuation Technique”). The estimated fair value of the customer lists was determined using the “excess earnings method” under the income approach, which represents the total income to be generated by the asset. Some of the more significant assumptions inherent in the development of those asset valuations include the projected revenue associated with the asset, the appropriate discount rate to select in order to measure the risk inherent in each future cash flow stream, the assessment of each asset’s life cycle, as well as other factors (the “Customer List Valuation Technique”). The discount rate used to arrive at the present value at the acquisition date of the customer lists, technology and trademarks was 23%. The remaining useful lives of the technology 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. The remaining useful lives of customer lists were based on the customer attrition and the projected economic benefit of these customers.
		Estimated		Amount
		Useful life
		(years)
	Customer lists	10		$	59,371
	IDP Technology	10			5,463
	M2M and DGS Technology	5			1,318
	Trademarks	5			1,062
				$	67,214
	Goodwill
	The SkyWave Acquisition furthers the Company’s strategy to provide the most complete set of options and capabilities in the industry. SkyWave’s distribution channels in South America, Asia and the Middle East, along with Inmarsat’s support, provide the Company with a broader global distribution and provides the Company access to new geographies in Eastern Europe and Asia while adding diverse vertical markets such as security and marine. The addition of SkyWave’s higher bandwidth, low-latency satellite products and services that leverage the IsatDataPro (IDP) technology, which is now jointly owned by the Company and Inmarsat, also further expands the breadth of the Company’s solutions portfolio. These factors contributed to a preliminary estimated purchase price resulting in the recognition of goodwill. The Company intends to make the Internal Revenue Code (“IRS”) Section 338(g) election to treat the acquisition as a deemed asset sale. The goodwill attributable to the acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes.
	Indemnification Asset
	In connection with the Arrangement Agreement, the Company and its acquisition subsidiary entered into an escrow agreement with the representatives of certain SkyWave shareholders and an escrow agent. Under the terms of this escrow agreement, (i) $9,750 was placed in an indemnity escrow account to be held through March 31, 2016 to fund any indemnification obligations to the Company under the Arrangement Agreement; (ii) $850 was placed in a pre-closing tax escrow account through the date on which all applicable statutes of limitations (as the same may be extended or waived) for each pre-closing tax period ending on or after June 30, 2009 have expired to fund any indemnification obligations to the Company against any pre-close tax liabilities due; and (iii) $503 was placed in a working capital escrow account to fund any working capital obligations as described under the Arrangement Agreement.
	Unaudited Pro Forma Results of Operation
	The following table presents the unaudited pro forma consolidated operating results for the Company, as though the SkyWave Acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the prior annual reporting period. The unaudited pro forma results reflect certain adjustments related to past operating performance, the impact of the acquisition financing, acquisition costs and acquisition accounting adjustments, such as increased depreciation and amortization expense based on the fair valuation of assets acquired and the related tax effects. The pro forma results do not include any anticipated synergies which may be achievable subsequent to the acquisition date. Accordingly, such pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisition been completed on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of the future operating results of the combined company:
	(in thousands; except per share amounts)	Quarter
		ended
		March 31,
		2014
	Net revenues		33,600
	Net (loss) attributable to common shareholders		(3,033	)
	Earnings per share:
	Basic		(0.05	)
	Diluted		(0.05	)
	InSync, Inc
	On January 16, 2015, pursuant to a Share Purchase Agreement entered into by the Company, IDENTEC Group AG (“IDENTEC”) and InSync Software, Inc. (“InSync”), the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of InSync from IDENTEC for an aggregate consideration of (i) $11,100 in cash, comprised of various components and subject to net working capital adjustments, of which $1,320 was deposited in escrow in connection with certain indemnification obligations; and (ii) additional contingent consideration of up to $5,000 (the “InSync Acquisition”). Net revenues generated from the InSync acquisition represented $463 of our consolidated net revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.
	Preliminary Estimated Purchase Price Allocation
	The transaction has been accounted for using the Acquisition Method. The excess of the purchase price over the net assets was recorded as goodwill. The preliminary estimated purchase price allocation for the acquisition is as follows:
		Amount
	Cash	$	288
	Accounts receivable		1,141
	Other current assets		204
	Deferred tax assets		2,342
	Property, plant and equipment		51
	Intangible assets		5,879
	Other noncurrent assets		54
	Total identifiable assets acquired		9,959
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		1,180
	Deferred revenues		152
	Deferred tax liabilities		2,342
	Total liabilities assumed		3,674
Net identifiable assets acquired		6,285
Goodwill		5,357
Total preliminary purchase price	$	11,642
Contingent Consideration
Additional consideration is conditionally due to IDENTEC upon achievement of certain financial milestones. The fair value measurement of the contingent consideration obligation is determined using Level 3 unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity based on our own assumptions. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration was determined based on the Company’s preliminary estimates using the real options approach. As of March 31, 2015, the Company recorded $542 in other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Intangible Assets
The estimated fair value of the technology and trademark intangible assets was determined using Technology and Trademark Valuation Technique as defined above. The estimated fair value of the customer lists was determined using the Customer List Valuation Technique as defined above. The discount rate used to arrive at the present value at the acquisition date of the customer lists, technology and trademarks was 15%. The remaining useful lives of the technology 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. The remaining useful lives of customer lists were based on the customer attrition and the projected economic benefit of these customers.
	Estimated		Amount
	Useful life
	(years)
Customer lists	14		$	5,056
Technology	10			632
Trademarks	10			191
			$	5,879
Goodwill
The InSync Acquisition supports the Company’s strategy to provide the most complete set of applications and capabilities in the M2M industry, while broadening the Company’s market access to a wide range of industries. With the addition of InSync’s versatile, turn-key software applications, the Company will enable its customers to rapidly build and deploy M2M enterprise solutions in core markets including transportation & distribution, cold chain, warehousing, supply chain, yard management, and manufacturing. These factors contributed to a preliminary estimated purchase price resulting in recognition of goodwill. The goodwill attributable to the acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes.
Indemnification Asset
In connection with the Share Purchase Agreement, the Company entered into an escrow agreement with IDENTIC and an escrow agent. Under the terms of the agreement, $1,320 was placed in an escrow account to be held through April 16, 2016 to fund any indemnification obligations to the Company under the Share Purchase Agreement.
Euroscan Holding B.V.
On March 11, 2014, pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement entered into by the Company and MWL Management B.V., R.Q. Management B.V., WBB GmbH, ING Corporate Investments Participaties B.V. and Euroscan Holding B.V., as sellers (the “Share Purchase Agreement”), the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding equity of Euroscan Holding B.V., including, indirectly, its wholly-owned subsidiaries Euroscan B.V., Euroscan GmbH Vertrieb Technischer Geräte, Euroscan Technology Ltd. and Ameriscan, Inc. (collectively, the “Euroscan Group” or “Euroscan”) for an aggregate consideration of (i) $29,163 subject to net working capital adjustments, which have not yet been finalized, and net cash (on a debt free, cash free basis); (ii) issuance of 291,230 shares of the Company’s common stock, valued at $7.70 per share, which reflected the Company’s closing price on the acquisition date; and (iii) additional contingent considerations of up to $6,547 (the “Euroscan Acquisition”). The Euroscan Acquisition allows the Company to complement its North American Operations in M2M by adding significant distribution channel in Europe and other key geographies where Euroscan has market share.
Contingent Consideration
Additional consideration is conditionally due to MWL Management B.V. and R.Q. Management B.V. upon achievement of financial and operational milestones. The fair value measurement of the contingent consideration obligation is determined using Level 3 unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity based on our own assumptions. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration was determined based on the Company’s preliminary estimates using the probability-weighted discounted cash flow approach. As of March 31, 2015, the Company recorded $992 in accrued expenses and $2,748 in other non-current liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration obligations are recorded in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, charges of $88 were recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses for accretion associated with the contingent consideration.

Stockbased_Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based Compensation	4. Stock-based Compensation
	The Company’s stock-based compensation plans consist of a 2006 Long-Term Incentives Plan (the “2006 LTIP”), under which there were 2,529,720 shares available for grant as of March 31, 2015.
	Total stock-based compensation recorded by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $1,131 and $881, respectively. Total capitalized stock-based compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $28 and $61, respectively.
	The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Cost of services	$	114		$	69
	Cost of product sales		14			30
	Selling, general and administrative		929			722
	Product development		74			60
	Total	$	1,131		$	881
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company had unrecognized compensation costs for stock appreciation rights and restricted stock unit arrangements totaling $3,830.
	2006 LTIP
	Time-Based Stock Appreciation Rights
	A summary of the Company’s time-based Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
		Number of			Weighted-Average		Weighted-Average		Aggregate
		Shares			Exercise Price		Remaining		Intrinsic Value
							Contractual		(In thousands)
							Term (years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2015		3,853,367		$	4.53
	Granted		270,000			6.23
	Exercised		—
	Forfeited or expired		(50,000	)		4.83
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015		4,073,367		$	4.64		6.28	$	6,107
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015		3,240,367		$	4.24		5.47	$	5,963
	Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2015		4,073,367		$	4.64		6.28	$	6,107
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $429 and $414 relating to these SARs, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, $2,274 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to these SARs is expected to be recognized through January 2018.
	The weighted-average grant date fair value of the time-based SARs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $3.37.
	There were no SAR exercises during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	Performance-Based Stock Appreciation Rights
	A summary of the Company’s performance-based SARs for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
		Number of			Weighted-Average		Weighted-Average		Aggregate
		Shares			Exercise Price		Remaining		Intrinsic Value
							Contractual		(In thousands)
							Term (years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2015		786,034		$	5.51
	Granted		8,000			5.65
	Exercised		(400	)		3.15
	Forfeited or expired		(160	)		5.65
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015		793,474		$	5.51		5.15	$	1,526
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015		789,474		$	5.51		5.13	$	1,525
	Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2015		793,474		$	5.51		5.15	$	1,526
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $13 and $47 relating to these SARs, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, $13 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to these SARs is expected to be recognized through March 2016.
	The weighted-average grant date fair value of the performance-based SARs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $3.32.
	The intrinsic value of the SARs exercised was $1 for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	The fair value of each time-based 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 the expected volatility was based on the Company’s historical volatility over the expected terms of SAR awards. 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.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Risk-free interest rate	1.35% and 1.82%		1.81% and 1.94%
	Expected life (years)	6		6
	Estimated volatility factor	64.04% and 64.63%		67.05% to 67.34%
	Expected dividends	None		None
	Time-based Restricted Stock Units
	A summary of the Company’s time-based Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
		Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant Date Fair Value
	Balance at January 1, 2015		90,255		$	6.66
	Granted		61,070			6.55
	Vested		(90,255	)		7.04
	Forfeited or expired		—			—
	Balance at March 31, 2015		61,070		$	5.99
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $171 and $90 related to these RSUs, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, $303 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to these RSUs is expected to be recognized through December 2015.
	Performance-based Restricted Stock Units
A summary of the Company’s performance-based RSUs for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
	Shares			Weighted-Average
				Grant Date Fair Value
Balance at January 1, 2015		321,525		$	6.41
Granted		76,375			6.14
Vested		(137,129	)		6.09
Forfeited or expired		(15,673	)		6.21
Balance at March 31, 2015		245,098		$	6.51
For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $442 and $226 related to these RSUs, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, $1,240 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to these RSUs is expected to be recognized through March 2016.
The fair values 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
The Company grants Market Performance Units (“MPUs”) to its senior executives based on stock price performance over a three-year period measured on December 31 for each performance 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’ annual base salaries 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 each 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 using a Monte Carlo Simulation Model that used the following assumptions:
	Three months ended March 31,
	2015		2014
Risk-free interest rate	0.21% to 0.81%		0.09% to 0.79%
Estimated volatility factor	35.00% to 39.00%		40.00% to 45.00%
Expected dividends	None		None
For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $76 and $105 relating to these MPUs, respectively.
2004 Stock Option Plan
During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, 50,000 stock options were exercised at a weighted-average exercise price of $4.88 shares and an intrinsic value of $55. There are no stock options outstanding and available for exercise as of March 31, 2015.

Net_Loss_Attributable_to_ORBCO

Net Loss Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. Common Stockholders	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Loss Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. Common Stockholders	5. Net Loss Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. Common Stockholders
	The Company accounts for earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share” (“ASC 260”) and related guidance, which requires two calculations of EPS to be disclosed: basic and diluted. The numerator in calculating basic and diluted EPS is an amount equal to the net (loss) income attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders for the periods presented. The denominator in calculating basic EPS is the weighted average shares outstanding for the respective periods. The denominator in calculating diluted EPS is the weighted average shares outstanding, plus the dilutive effect of stock option grants, unvested SAR and RSU grants and shares of Series A convertible preferred stock for the respective periods. The following sets forth the basic calculations of EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and diluted calculations of EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	(In thousands, expect per share data)	2015			2014
	Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders	$	(2,882	)	$	(441	)
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
	Basic number of common shares outstanding		70,238			53,213
	Dilutive effect of grants of stock options, unvested SAR’s and RSU’s and shares of Series A convertible preferred stock		—			—
	Diluted number of common shares outstanding		70,238			53,213
	Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.01	)
	Diluted	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.01	)
	The computation of net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders for three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	$	(2,873	)	$	(431	)
	Preferred stock dividends on Series A convertible preferred stock		(9	)		(10	)
	Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders	$	(2,882	)	$	(441	)

Satellite_Network_and_Other_Eq

Satellite Network and Other Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Satellite Network and Other Equipment	6. Satellite Network and Other Equipment
	Satellite network and other equipment consisted of the following:
		Useful life	March 31,			December 31,
		(years)	2015			2014
	Land		$	381		$	381
	Satellite network	10-Jan		117,662			116,444
	Capitalized software	7-Mar		8,648			7,013
	Computer hardware	3		3,200			2,761
	Other	7-Feb		6,270			4,703
	Assets under construction			87,789			81,099
				223,950			212,401
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization			(35,489	)		(31,780	)
			$	188,461		$	180,621
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company capitalized costs attributable to the design and development of internal-use software in the amount of $892 and $628, respectively.
	Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $3,846 and $1,337, respectively, including amortization of internal-use software of $377 and $186, 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 and upgrades to its infrastructure and ground segment. Refer to “Note 15 – Commitments and Contingencies” for more information regarding the construction of the Company’s next-generation satellites.
	In January 2015, the Company lost communication with one of its first generation Plane B satellites. The Company removed $137 from satellite network and accumulated depreciation, respectively, representing the fully depreciated value of the satellite as of March 31, 2015.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	7. 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:
			Amount
	Balance at January 1, 2015		$	39,870
	Additions through acquisitions			62,837
	Other adjustments			27
	Balance at March 31, 2015		$	102,734
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the following key items impacted goodwill:
		•		The Company recognized goodwill of $57,480 in connection with the SkyWave Acquisition
		•		The Company recognized goodwill of $5,357 in connection with the InSync Acquisition
	Goodwill is allocated to the Company’s one reportable segment, which is its only reporting unit.
	The Company’s intangible assets consisted of the following:
					March 31, 2015							December 31, 2014
			Useful life		Cost		Accumulated			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Net
			(years)				amortization							amortization
	Customer lists		5, 7, 10, 12 and 14		$	86,277	$	(4,996	)	$	81,281	$	21,850	$	(2,939	)	$	18,911
	Patents and technology		5 and 10			15,947		(2,701	)		13,246		8,473		(2,259	)		6,214
	Trade names and trademarks		3, 5 and 10			2,943		(591	)		2,352		1,690		(481	)		1,209
					$	105,167	$	(8,288	)	$	96,879	$	32,013	$	(5,679	)	$	26,334
	The weighted-average amortization period for the intangible assets is 10.3 years. The weighted-average amortization period for customer lists, patents and technology and trade names and trademarks is 10.5, 9.3 and 7.6 years, respectively.
	On January 1, 2015, the Company acquired intangible assets in connection with the SkyWave Acquisition of $67,214, including $59,371 relating to customer lists, $6,781 relating to technology and $1,062 relating to trademarks.
	On January 16, 2015, the Company acquired intangible assets in connection with the InSync Acquisition of $5,879, including $5,056 relating to customer lists, $632 relating to technology and $191 relating to trademarks.
	Amortization expense was $2,609 and $462 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	Estimated annual amortization expense for intangible assets subsequent to March 31, 2015 is as follows:
			Amount
	2015 (remaining)		$	7,907
	2016			10,516
	2017			10,366
	2018			10,329
	2019			10,316
	Thereafter			47,445
			$	96,879

Accrued_Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Liabilities	8. Accrued Liabilities
	The Company’s accrued liabilities consisted of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Accrued compensation and benefits	$	5,888		$	4,453
	Warranty		2,089			1,470
	Corporate income tax payable		300			455
	Contingent earn-out amount		1,123			1,115
	Accrued satellite network and other equipment		1,707			1,188
	Accrued inventory purchases		2,532			475
	Milestone payable		5,460			5,460
	Accrued interest expense		1,003			1,083
	Accrued acquisition-related costs		—			417
	Accrued credit facility financing fees		86			734
	Accrued professional fees		699			448
	Accrued airtime charges		1,479			—
	Other accrued expenses		4,654			3,038
		$	27,020		$	20,336
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, changes in accrued warranty obligations consisted of the following:
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Balance at January 1,	$	1,470		$	2,199
	Warranty liabilities assumed from acquisition		450			96
	Amortization of fair value adjustment of warranty liabilities acquired through acquisitions		(12	)		(19	)
	Reduction of warranty liabilities assumed in connection with acquisitions		(174	)		(250	)
	Warranty expense		404			60
	Warranty charges		(49	)		(196	)
	Balance at March 31,	$	2,089		$	1,890

Deferred_Revenues

Deferred Revenues	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred Revenues	9. Deferred Revenues
	Deferred revenues consisted of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Service activation fees	$	3,835		$	3,411
	Prepaid services		2,299			2,509
	Prepaid product revenues		—			15
	Warranty revenues		144			169
			6,278			6,104
	Less: current portion		(3,936	)		(3,525	)
	Long-term portion	$	2,342		$	2,579

Note_PayableRelated_Party

Note Payable-Related Party	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Note Payable-Related Party	10. 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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the principal balance of the note payable was €1,138 and it had a carrying value of $1,241 and $1,389, respectively. 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, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The note has been classified as long-term and the Company does not expect any repayments to be required prior to March 31, 2016.

Note_Payable

Note Payable	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Note Payable	11. Note Payable
	Secured Credit Facilities
	On September 30, 2014, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Macquarie CAF LLC (“Macquarie” or the “Lender”) in order to refinance the Company’s Senior Notes. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lender provided secured credit facilities (“the Secured Credit Facilities”) in an aggregate amount of $160,000 comprised of (i) a term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $70,000 (the “Initial Term Loan Facility”); (ii) a $10,000 revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”); (iii) a term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $10,000 (the “Term B2”), the proceeds of which were drawn and used on January 16, 2015 to finance the InSync Acquisition; and (iv) a term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $70,000 (the “Term B3”), the proceeds of which were used on January 1, 2015 to finance the SkyWave Acquisition. Proceeds of the Initial Term Loan Facility and Revolving Credit Facility were funded on October 10, 2014 and were used to repay in full the Company’s Senior Notes and pay certain related fees, expenses and accrued interest, as well as for general corporate purposes.
	The Secured Credit Facilities mature five years after the initial fund date of the Initial Term Loan Facility (the “Maturity Date”), but are subject to mandatory prepayments in certain circumstances. The Secured Credit Facilities will bear interest, at the Company’s election, of a per annum rate equal to either (a) a base rate plus 3.75% or (b) LIBOR plus 4.75%, with a LIBOR floor of 1.00%.
	The Secured Credit Facilities will be secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ assets. Subject to the terms set forth in the Credit Agreement, the Company may make optional prepayments on the Secured Credit Facilities at any time prior to the Maturity Date. The remaining principal balance is due on the Maturity Date.
	The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, conditions to funding, covenants and events of default. The covenants set forth in the Credit Agreement include, among other things, prohibitions on the Company and its subsidiaries against incurring certain indebtedness and investments (other than permitted acquisitions and other exceptions as specified therein), providing certain guarantees and incurring certain liens. In addition, the Credit Agreement includes a leverage ratio and consolidated liquidity covenant, as defined, whereby the Company is permitted to have a maximum consolidated leverage ratio as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of up to 5.00 to 1.00 and a minimum consolidated liquidity of $7,500 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter. The Credit Agreement provides for certain events of default, the occurrence of which could result in the acceleration of the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement.
	In connection with entering into the Credit Agreement, and the subsequent funding of the Initial Term Loan Facility, Revolving Credit Facility, Term B2 Facility and the Term B3 Facility, the Company incurred approximately $4,721 of debt issuance costs. For the three month ended March 31, 2015, amortization of the debt issuance costs was $219. For the three month ended March 31, 2015, the Company capitalized $1,285 of interest expense and amortization of the debt issuance costs associated with the Initial Term Loan Facility and Revolving Credit Facility to construction of the next-generation satellites. The Company recorded charges of $1,242 to interest expense on its statement of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 related to interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs associated with the Term B2 and Term B3 loan facilities.
	At March 31, 2015, no amounts were outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. The net availability under the Revolving Credit Facility was $10,000.
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants.
	$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 was payable quarterly at a rate of 9.5% per annum. The Senior Notes were secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ assets. The covenants in the Senior Notes limited the Company’s ability to, among other things, (i) incur additional indebtedness and liens; (ii) sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of the Company’s or subsidiaries assets; or (iii) merge or consolidate with other companies. The Company was 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 had to 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 $1,390 of debt issuance costs, to be amortized through January 4, 2018. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, amortization of the debt issuance costs was $70. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company capitalized all of the interest expense and amortization of the debt issuance costs to construction of the next-generation satellites. The Senior Notes were redeemed in full on October 10, 2014.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	12. Stockholders’ Equity
	Series A convertible preferred stock
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company issued dividends in the amount of 902 shares to the holders of the Series A convertible preferred stock. As of March 31, 2015, dividends in arrears were $9.
	Common Stock
	In January 2015, the Company issued 54,801 shares of its common stock as a form of payment in connection with MPUs for achieving the fiscal year 2013 and 2014 stock performance target.
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company has reserved 7,702,729 shares of common stock for future issuances related to employee stock compensation plans.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	13. 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 Company’s foreign exchange exposure is limited as approximately 94.3% of the Company’s consolidated revenue is collected in US dollars. 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 March 31,
		2015			2014
	United States		58	%		80	%
	South America		14	%		—
	Japan		2	%		6	%
	Europe		18	%		9	%
	Other		8	%		5	%
			100	%		100	%

Income_taxes

Income taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes	14. Income taxes
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company’s income tax provision was $477 resulting from foreign income tax expense of $587 from income generated by the Company’s international operations and $84 of amortization of tax goodwill generated from acquisitions offset, in part, by deferred tax credits related to amortization of intangible assets with no tax basis. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company’s income tax provision was $173, resulting from a foreign income tax expense of $110 from income generated by the Company’s international operations and $63 of amortization of tax goodwill generated from acquisitions.
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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 March 31, 2015, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits. There were no changes to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits during the three months ended March 31, 2015. 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 months ended March 31, 2015.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	15. Commitments and Contingencies
	Next-generation satellite procurement
	On May 5, 2008, the Company entered into a procurement agreement with Sierra Nevada Corporation (“SNC”) pursuant to which SNC is constructing eighteen LEO 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 and the contract is cancelable by the Company, less a credit of $1,528. 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 “First Amendment”). The First Amendment amends certain terms of the procurement agreement and supplements or amends five separate task order agreements, between May 20, 2010 and December 15, 2010 (“Task Orders #1-5”). Between July 3, 2012 and April 18, 2014, the Company and SNC entered into five additional task order agreements for additional cost up to $2,700.
	The First 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 Original Task Orders) of $117,000. Payments under the First Amendment extended into the second quarter of 2014, subject to SNC’s successful completion of each payment milestone. The First Amendment also settles the liquidated delay damages triggered under the procurement agreement 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. The Company anticipates $3,900 in total liquidated delay damages will be available to offset milestone and task order payments.
	On March 20, 2014, the Company and SNC entered into a definitive Second Amendment to the procurement agreement (the “Second Amendment”). The Second Amendment amends certain terms of the procurement agreement dated May 5, 2008, as amended by the First Amendment and supplemented by nine separate Task Orders entered into prior to that date (collectively, “Task Orders #1-9”). The Second Amendment modifies the number of satellites in each shipset to reflect the actual number of satellites to be launched in each of the two missions. The Second Amendment also modifies the payment milestone schedule under the First Amendment but does not change the total contract price (excluding optional satellites and costs under Task Orders #1-9) of $117,000.
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company has not made milestone payments to SNC under the procurement agreement. The Company anticipates making payments of approximately $37,440 under the agreement during 2015.
	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.
	On December 21, 2012, the Company and 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 LEO of up to 17 ORBCOMM next-generation satellites. 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. 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.
	On July 14, 2014, the Company launched six of its OG2 satellites aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The OG2 satellites were separated from the Falcon 9 vehicle into orbit. On September 15, 2014, following an in-orbit testing period, the Company initiated commercial service for the six OG2 satellites. The satellites provide both M2M messaging and AIS service for its global customers.
	On April 13, 2015, the Company and SpaceX entered into Amendment #1 to the Falcon 9 Agreement (the “First LSA Amendment”). The First LSA Amendment amends certain terms of the Falcon 9 Agreement dated December 21, 2012 applicable to the second launch period including (i) the milestone payment schedule related to the second launch, but does not change the total contract price of $42,600 and (ii) establishing a launch period for the second launch beginning August 15, 2015 and ending September 29, 2015, as well as modifying other terms and conditions relating to the second launch as originally set forth in the Falcon 9 Agreement.
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company has not made milestone payments under the Falcon 9 Agreement. The Company anticipates making payments of approximately $6,390 under the agreement during 2015.
	In April 2014, the Company obtained launch and one year in-orbit insurance for the OG2 satellite program. For the first launch of six satellites, the Company obtained (i) a maximum total of $66,000 of launch plus one year in-orbit insurance coverage; and (ii) $22,000 of launch vehicle flight only insurance coverage (“Launch One”). The total premium cost for Launch One was $9,953. For the second launch of eleven satellites, the Company obtained (i) a maximum total of $120,000 of launch plus one year in-orbit insurance coverage; and (ii) $22,000 of launch vehicle flight only insurance coverage (“Launch Two”). The total premium cost for Launch Two is $16,454. In April 2014, the Company paid the total premium for Launch One and 5% of the total premium for Launch Two, with the balance of the premium cost for Launch Two becoming due 30 days prior to the scheduled launch of the second mission. The majority of the premium payments are recorded as satellite network and other equipment, net in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015. The Launch One coverage took effect on July 14, 2014, following the launch and insertion of the first six satellites into orbit.
	The policy contains a three satellite deductible across both missions under the launch plus one-year insurance coverage whereby claims are payable in excess of the first three satellites in the aggregate for both Launch One and Launch Two combined that are total losses or constructive total losses. The launch vehicle only coverage requires the loss of all satellites on the applicable mission as a result of the launch vehicle flight in order to collect under that portion of the insurance policy. The policy is also subject to specified exclusions and material change limitations customary in the industry. These exclusions include losses resulting from war, anti-satellite devices, insurrection, terrorist acts, government confiscation, radioactive contamination, electromagnetic interference, loss of revenue and third party liability.
	Airtime credits
	In 2001, in connection with the organization of ORBCOMM Europe 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 March 31, 2015 and 2014 airtime credits used totaled approximately $8 and $8, respectively. As of March 31, 2015 and 2014 unused credits granted by the Company were approximately $2,060 and $2,089, respectively.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	16. Subsequent Events
	On April 10, 2015, the Company filed a Form S-3 shelf registration statement registering our securities for a proposed maximum aggregate offering price of $200 million. The Company may use this shelf registration statement at any time or from time to time to offer, in one or more offerings, our debt securities, shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, warrants to purchase our debt securities, common stock or preferred stock or units consisting of any combination of the foregoing securities. The shelf registration statement was declared effective on April 14, 2015.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	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, 2014. In the opinion of management, the financial statements as of March 31, 2015 and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 include all adjustments (including normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income 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.
Financial Statement Revision	Financial Statement Revision
	The Company has included an immaterial correction of certain expenditures in its consolidated statement of cash flows between cash used in operating activities and cash used in investing activities as previously reported for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. This revision is consistent with what was disclosed in the Company’s fiscal year 2014 consolidated statement of cash flows.
	This revision does not affect the Company’s previously reported consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of income, including earnings per share, changes in stockholders’ equity or total cash flows in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
	A summary of the effects of this revision are as follows ($ in thousands):
		Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
		Increase (Decrease) in cash
		As Previously			After Revision
		Reported			March 31, 2014
		March 31, 2014
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	(2,169	)	$	(1,100	)
	Net cash provided by operating activities		639			1,708
	Cash flows from investing activities, net of acquisition:
	Capital expenditures		(2,735	)		(3,804	)
	Net cash used in investing activities	$	(30,927	)	$	(31,996	)
Investments	Investments
	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. When the Company does not exercise significant influence over the investee the investment is accounted under the cost method.
	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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The Company has no guarantees or other funding obligations to those entities. The Company had no equity in income or losses of those investees for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
Acquisition-related and Integration Costs	Acquisition-related and Integration Costs
	Acquisition-related and integration costs are expensed as incurred and are presented separately on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. These costs may include professional services expenses and identifiable integration costs directly relating to acquisitions.
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. Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 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 Secured Credit Facilities, as defined below, approximated its fair value due to its recent issuance.
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.
	There were no customers with revenues greater than 10% of the Company’s consolidated total revenues as of March 31, 2015. The following table presents customers with revenues greater than 10% of the Company’s consolidated total revenues for March 31, 2014:
		Three Months ended
		March 31, 2014
	Caterpillar Inc.		14.4	%
	Komatsu Ltd.		12.1	%
	The following table presents customers with accounts receivable greater than 10% of the Company’s consolidated accounts receivable for the periods shown:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Walmart Stores, Inc.		—			15	%
	Caterpillar Inc.		10.7	%		13.6	%
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company did not maintain in-orbit insurance coverage for its first generation satellites to address the risk of potential systemic anomalies, failures or catastrophic events affecting its satellite constellation. The Company maintains in-orbit insurance coverage over its next-generation satellites, as described in “Note 15 – Commitments and Contingencies.”
Inventories	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventory consists primarily of finished goods, 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 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 on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Refer to “Note 8 – Accrued Liabilities” for more information.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-03 “Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) – Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” (“ASU 2015-03”), which is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. ASU 2015-03 simplifies financial reporting by eliminating the different presentation requirements for debt issuance costs and debt discounts or premiums. The adoption of this standard, which will be applied retrospectively, will not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Effects of Revision in Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	A summary of the effects of this revision are as follows ($ in thousands):
		Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
		Increase (Decrease) in cash
		As Previously			After Revision
		Reported			March 31, 2014
		March 31, 2014
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	(2,169	)	$	(1,100	)
	Net cash provided by operating activities		639			1,708
	Cash flows from investing activities, net of acquisition:
	Capital expenditures		(2,735	)		(3,804	)
	Net cash used in investing activities	$	(30,927	)	$	(31,996	)
Customers with Revenues Greater than 10%	The following table presents customers with revenues greater than 10% of the Company’s consolidated total revenues for March 31, 2014:
		Three Months ended
		March 31, 2014
	Caterpillar Inc.		14.4	%
	Komatsu Ltd.		12.1	%
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:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Walmart Stores, Inc.		—			15	%
	Caterpillar Inc.		10.7	%		13.6	%

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation for Acquisition	The preliminary purchase price allocation for the acquisition, net of the assets transferred to Inmarsat, is as follows:
		Amount
	Cash	$	110
	Accounts receivable		13,898
	Inventory		1,335
	Other current assets		2,180
	Property, plant and equipment		4,769
	Intangible assets		67,214
	Other noncurrent assets		6,143
	Total identifiable assets acquired		95,649
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		9,983
	Deferred revenues		340
	Other liabilities		1,168
	Deferred tax liabilities		18,635
	Total liabilities assumed		30,126
	Net identifiable assets acquired		65,523
	Goodwill		57,480
	Total purchase price	$	123,003
Summary of Useful Lives of Customer Relationships Based on Customer Attrition	The remaining useful lives of customer lists were based on the customer attrition and the projected economic benefit of these customers.
		Estimated		Amount
		Useful life
		(years)
	Customer lists	10		$	59,371
	IDP Technology	10			5,463
	M2M and DGS Technology	5			1,318
	Trademarks	5			1,062
				$	67,214
Summary of Pro Forma Results of Operation	The following table presents the unaudited pro forma consolidated operating results for the Company, as though the SkyWave Acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the prior annual reporting period. The unaudited pro forma results reflect certain adjustments related to past operating performance, the impact of the acquisition financing, acquisition costs and acquisition accounting adjustments, such as increased depreciation and amortization expense based on the fair valuation of assets acquired and the related tax effects. The pro forma results do not include any anticipated synergies which may be achievable subsequent to the acquisition date. Accordingly, such pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisition been completed on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of the future operating results of the combined company:
	(in thousands; except per share amounts)	Quarter
		ended
		March 31,
		2014
	Net revenues		33,600
	Net (loss) attributable to common shareholders		(3,033	)
	Earnings per share:
	Basic		(0.05	)
	Diluted		(0.05	)
Insync, Inc [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation for Acquisition	The preliminary estimated purchase price allocation for the acquisition is as follows:
		Amount
	Cash	$	288
	Accounts receivable		1,141
	Other current assets		204
	Deferred tax assets		2,342
	Property, plant and equipment		51
	Intangible assets		5,879
	Other noncurrent assets		54
	Total identifiable assets acquired		9,959
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		1,180
	Deferred revenues		152
	Deferred tax liabilities		2,342
	Total liabilities assumed		3,674
	Net identifiable assets acquired		6,285
	Goodwill		5,357
	Total preliminary purchase price	$	11,642
Summary of Useful Lives of Customer Relationships Based on Customer Attrition	The remaining useful lives of customer lists were based on the customer attrition and the projected economic benefit of these customers.
		Estimated		Amount
		Useful life
		(years)
	Customer lists	14		$	5,056
	Technology	10			632
	Trademarks	10			191
				$	5,879

Stockbased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Summary Components of Stock-Based Compensation Expense	The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Cost of services	$	114		$	69
	Cost of product sales		14			30
	Selling, general and administrative		929			722
	Product development		74			60
	Total	$	1,131		$	881
Performance-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]
Summary of Stock Appreciation Rights	A summary of the Company’s performance-based SARs for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
		Number of			Weighted-Average		Weighted-Average		Aggregate
		Shares			Exercise Price		Remaining		Intrinsic Value
							Contractual		(In thousands)
							Term (years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2015		786,034		$	5.51
	Granted		8,000			5.65
	Exercised		(400	)		3.15
	Forfeited or expired		(160	)		5.65
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015		793,474		$	5.51		5.15	$	1,526
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015		789,474		$	5.51		5.13	$	1,525
	Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2015		793,474		$	5.51		5.15	$	1,526
Fair Value of Stock Appreciation Rights Estimated	The fair value of each time-based 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 the expected volatility was based on the Company’s historical volatility over the expected terms of SAR awards. 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.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Risk-free interest rate	1.35% and 1.82%		1.81% and 1.94%
	Expected life (years)	6		6
	Estimated volatility factor	64.04% and 64.63%		67.05% to 67.34%
	Expected dividends	None		None
Performance Units [Member]
Fair Value of Stock Appreciation Rights Estimated	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 using a Monte Carlo Simulation Model that used the following assumptions:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Risk-free interest rate	0.21% to 0.81%		0.09% to 0.79%
	Estimated volatility factor	35.00% to 39.00%		40.00% to 45.00%
	Expected dividends	None		None
Time-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]
Summary of Stock Appreciation Rights	A summary of the Company’s time-based Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
		Number of			Weighted-Average		Weighted-Average		Aggregate
		Shares			Exercise Price		Remaining		Intrinsic Value
							Contractual		(In thousands)
							Term (years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2015		3,853,367		$	4.53
	Granted		270,000			6.23
	Exercised		—
	Forfeited or expired		(50,000	)		4.83
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015		4,073,367		$	4.64		6.28	$	6,107
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015		3,240,367		$	4.24		5.47	$	5,963
	Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2015		4,073,367		$	4.64		6.28	$	6,107
Time-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Summary of Restricted Stock Units	A summary of the Company’s time-based Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
		Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant Date Fair Value
	Balance at January 1, 2015		90,255		$	6.66
	Granted		61,070			6.55
	Vested		(90,255	)		7.04
	Forfeited or expired		—			—
	Balance at March 31, 2015		61,070		$	5.99
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Summary of Restricted Stock Units	A summary of the Company’s performance-based RSUs for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
		Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant Date Fair Value
	Balance at January 1, 2015		321,525		$	6.41
	Granted		76,375			6.14
	Vested		(137,129	)		6.09
	Forfeited or expired		(15,673	)		6.21
	Balance at March 31, 2015		245,098		$	6.51

Net_Loss_Attributable_to_ORBCO1

Net Loss Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. Common Stockholders (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Summary of Basic and Diluted Calculations of EPS	The following sets forth the basic calculations of EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and diluted calculations of EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	(In thousands, expect per share data)	2015			2014
	Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders	$	(2,882	)	$	(441	)
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
	Basic number of common shares outstanding		70,238			53,213
	Dilutive effect of grants of stock options, unvested SAR’s and RSU’s and shares of Series A convertible preferred stock		—			—
	Diluted number of common shares outstanding		70,238			53,213
	Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.01	)
	Diluted	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.01	)
Summary of Net Loss Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. Common Stockholders	The computation of net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders for three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	$	(2,873	)	$	(431	)
	Preferred stock dividends on Series A convertible preferred stock		(9	)		(10	)
	Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders	$	(2,882	)	$	(441	)

Satellite_Network_and_Other_Eq1

Satellite Network and Other Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Summary of Satellite Network and Other Equipment	Satellite network and other equipment consisted of the following:
		Useful life	March 31,			December 31,
		(years)	2015			2014
	Land		$	381		$	381
	Satellite network	10-Jan		117,662			116,444
	Capitalized software	7-Mar		8,648			7,013
	Computer hardware	3		3,200			2,761
	Other	7-Feb		6,270			4,703
	Assets under construction			87,789			81,099
				223,950			212,401
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization			(35,489	)		(31,780	)
			$	188,461		$	180,621

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Goodwill	Goodwill consisted of the following:
		Amount
	Balance at January 1, 2015	$	39,870
	Additions through acquisitions		62,837
	Other adjustments		27
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	102,734
Components of Intangible Assets	The Company’s intangible assets consisted of the following:
				March 31, 2015							December 31, 2014
		Useful life		Cost		Accumulated			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Net
		(years)				amortization							amortization
	Customer lists	5, 7, 10, 12 and 14		$	86,277	$	(4,996	)	$	81,281	$	21,850	$	(2,939	)	$	18,911
	Patents and technology	5 and 10			15,947		(2,701	)		13,246		8,473		(2,259	)		6,214
	Trade names and trademarks	3, 5 and 10			2,943		(591	)		2,352		1,690		(481	)		1,209
				$	105,167	$	(8,288	)	$	96,879	$	32,013	$	(5,679	)	$	26,334
Estimated Annual Amortization Expense for Intangible Assets	Estimated annual amortization expense for intangible assets subsequent to March 31, 2015 is as follows:
		Amount
	2015 (remaining)	$	7,907
	2016		10,516
	2017		10,366
	2018		10,329
	2019		10,316
	Thereafter		47,445
		$	96,879

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Components of Accrued Liabilities	The Company’s accrued liabilities consisted of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Accrued compensation and benefits	$	5,888		$	4,453
	Warranty		2,089			1,470
	Corporate income tax payable		300			455
	Contingent earn-out amount		1,123			1,115
	Accrued satellite network and other equipment		1,707			1,188
	Accrued inventory purchases		2,532			475
	Milestone payable		5,460			5,460
	Accrued interest expense		1,003			1,083
	Accrued acquisition-related costs		—			417
	Accrued credit facility financing fees		86			734
	Accrued professional fees		699			448
	Accrued airtime charges		1,479			—
	Other accrued expenses		4,654			3,038
		$	27,020		$	20,336
Summary of Accrued Warranty Obligations	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, changes in accrued warranty obligations consisted of the following:
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Balance at January 1,	$	1,470		$	2,199
	Warranty liabilities assumed from acquisition		450			96
	Amortization of fair value adjustment of warranty liabilities acquired through acquisitions		(12	)		(19	)
	Reduction of warranty liabilities assumed in connection with acquisitions		(174	)		(250	)
	Warranty expense		404			60
	Warranty charges		(49	)		(196	)
	Balance at March 31,	$	2,089		$	1,890

Deferred_Revenues_Tables

Deferred Revenues (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Deferred Revenues	Deferred revenues consisted of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Service activation fees	$	3,835		$	3,411
	Prepaid services		2,299			2,509
	Prepaid product revenues		—			15
	Warranty revenues		144			169
			6,278			6,104
	Less: current portion		(3,936	)		(3,525	)
	Long-term portion	$	2,342		$	2,579

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31,
		2015			2014
	United States		58	%		80	%
	South America		14	%		—
	Japan		2	%		6	%
	Europe		18	%		9	%
	Other		8	%		5	%
			100	%		100	%

Organization_and_Business_Addi

Organization and Business - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
	Satellite
Description Of Business [Line Items]
Number of assets operated communications and broadcasting equipment	30
Number of micro satellites owned	1
First Generation Satellites [Member]
Description Of Business [Line Items]
Number of assets operated communications and broadcasting equipment	24
OG2 Next-Generation Satellites [Member]
Description Of Business [Line Items]
Number of assets operated communications and broadcasting equipment	6

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Principles - Summary of Effects of Revision in Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	($6,538)	($1,100)
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,819	1,708
Cash flows from investing activities, net of acquisition:
Capital expenditures	-4,171	-3,804
Net cash used in investing activities	-14,878	-31,996
As Previously Reported [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		-2,169
Net cash provided by operating activities		639
Cash flows from investing activities, net of acquisition:
Capital expenditures		-2,735
Net cash used in investing activities		($30,927)

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Principles - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	Customer
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Equity method investments		$0		$0
Guarantee or other funding obligations under equity method investment		0		0
Gain or losses from equity method investment		$0	$0
Number of customers with revenues greater than 10%	0
Warranty coverage on product sales		1 year

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Principles - Customers with Revenues Greater than 10% (Detail) (Sales [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Caterpillar Inc. [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Customers with revenues greater than 10%	14.40%
Komatsu Ltd. [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Customers with revenues greater than 10%	12.10%

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Principles - Customers with Accounts Receivable Greater than 10% (Detail) (Accounts Receivable [Member])	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Walmart Stores, Inc. [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Customers with accounts receivable greater than 10%		15.00%
Caterpillar Inc. [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Customers with accounts receivable greater than 10%	10.70%	13.60%

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 11, 2014	Jan. 01, 2015	Jan. 16, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net revenues	$42,330,000	$19,350,000
Portion of contingent consideration in accrued expenses	1,123,000					1,115,000
Euroscan Holding B.V. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition effective date	11-Mar-14
Aggregate consideration payable in cash and common stock			29,163,000
Outstanding equity percentage			100.00%
Portion of contingent consideration in other non-current liabilities	2,748,000
Number of common stock shares issued for consideration			291,230
Common stock issued, per share			$7.70
Portion of contingent consideration in accrued expenses	992,000
Contingent consideration accretion recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses	88,000
Euroscan Holding B.V. [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent consideration payable			6,547,000
SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition effective date	1-Jan-15
Arrangement Agreement date	1-Nov-14
Aggregate consideration payable in cash and common stock				130,503,000
Cash consideration paid				123,003,000
Amount deposited in escrow				11,103,000
Business acquisition, settled by promissory note				7,500,000
Outstanding equity percentage				100.00%
Net revenues	14,638,000	33,600,000
SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. [Member] | Indemnification Asset [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amount deposited in escrow				9,750,000
Pre-closing tax amount deposited in escrow account				850,000
Working capital amount deposited in escrow account				503,000
SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. [Member] | Technology and Trademarks [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Discount rate to reflect risk characteristics of intangible assets	0.23%
Insync, Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition effective date	16-Jan-15
Cash consideration paid					11,100,000
Amount deposited in escrow					1,320,000
Outstanding equity percentage					100.00%
Net revenues	463,000
Contingent consideration payable					5,000,000
Portion of contingent consideration in other non-current liabilities	542,000
Insync, Inc [Member] | Indemnification Asset [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amount deposited in escrow					$1,320,000
Insync, Inc [Member] | Technology and Trademarks [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Discount rate to reflect risk characteristics of intangible assets	15.00%

Acquisitions_Purchase_Price_Al

Acquisitions - Purchase Price Allocation for Acquisition (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash	$110
Accounts receivable	13,898
Inventory	1,335
Other current assets	2,180
Property, plant and equipment	4,769
Intangible assets	67,214	67,214
Other noncurrent assets	6,143
Total identifiable assets acquired	95,649
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	9,983
Deferred revenues	340
Other liabilities	1,168
Deferred tax liabilities	18,635
Total liabilities assumed	30,126
Net identifiable assets acquired	65,523
Goodwill	57,480
Total preliminary purchase price	123,003
Insync, Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash	288
Accounts receivable	1,141
Other current assets	204
Deferred tax assets	2,342
Property, plant and equipment	51
Intangible assets	5,879
Other noncurrent assets	54
Total identifiable assets acquired	9,959
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,180
Deferred revenues	152
Deferred tax liabilities	2,342
Total liabilities assumed	3,674
Net identifiable assets acquired	6,285
Goodwill	5,357
Total preliminary purchase price	$11,642

Acquisitions_Summary_of_Useful

Acquisitions - Summary of Useful Lives of Customer Relationships Based on Customer Attrition (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	10 years 3 months 18 days
Customer Lists [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	10 years 6 months
SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets	67,214	$67,214
SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. [Member] | Customer Lists [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	10 years
Total intangible assets		59,371
SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. [Member] | IDP Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	10 years
Total intangible assets		5,463
SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. [Member] | M2M and DGS Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	5 years
Total intangible assets		1,318
SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. [Member] | Trademarks [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	5 years
Total intangible assets		1,062
Insync, Inc [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets	5,879
Insync, Inc [Member] | Customer Lists [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	14 years
Total intangible assets	5,056
Insync, Inc [Member] | IDP Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	10 years
Total intangible assets	632
Insync, Inc [Member] | Trademarks [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	10 years
Total intangible assets	191

Acquisitions_Summary_of_Pro_Fo

Acquisitions - Summary of Pro Forma Results of Operation (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net revenues	$42,330	$19,350
SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net revenues	14,638	33,600
Net (loss) attributable to common shareholders		($3,033)
Earnings per share:
Basic		($0.05)
Diluted		($0.05)

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$1,131	$881
Stock-based compensation, capitalized	28	61
Unrecognized compensation costs for all share-based payment arrangements	3,830
Number of SAR exercised	$0
Time-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation costs for all share-based payment arrangements	2,274
Stock-based compensation expense	429	414
Number of SAR exercised	$3.37
Intrinsic value of SARs	1
Performance-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation costs for all share-based payment arrangements	13
Stock-based compensation expense	13	47
Number of SAR exercised	$3.32
Time-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation costs for all share-based payment arrangements	303
Stock-based compensation expense	171	90
Number of SAR exercised	$5.99		$6.66
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation costs for all share-based payment arrangements	1,240
Stock-based compensation expense	442	226
Number of SAR exercised	$6.51		$6.41
Performance Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	76	105
Maximum percentage of MPUs for senior executives	15.00%
Fair value period of MPUs	3 years
Market Performance Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Term of MPUs	3 years
2006 LTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares available for grant	2,529,720
2004 Stock Option Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$55
Number of stock options exercised	50,000,000
Weighted average exercise price of stock options	$4.88
Stock options outstanding	0
Stock options available for exercise	0

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary Components of Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$1,131	$881
Cost of Services [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	114	69
Cost of Product Sales [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	14	30
Selling, General and Administrative [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	929	722
Product Development [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$74	$60

StockBased_Compensation_Summar1

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Appreciation Rights (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Time-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance	3,853,367
Number of Shares, Granted	270,000
Number of Shares, Forfeited or expired	-50,000
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance	4,073,367
Number of Shares, Exercisable	3,240,367
Number of Shares, Vested and expected to vest	4,073,367
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Beginning Balance	$4.53
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Granted	$6.23
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Forfeited or expired	$4.83
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Ending Balance	$4.64
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercisable	$4.24
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Vested and expected to vest	$4.64
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Outstanding	6 years 3 months 11 days
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable	5 years 5 months 19 days
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Vested and expected to vest	6 years 3 months 11 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding, Ending balance	$6,107
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	5,963
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested and expected to vest	6,107
Performance-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance	786,034
Number of Shares, Granted	8,000
Number of Shares, Exercised	-400
Number of Shares, Forfeited or expired	-160
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance	793,474
Number of Shares, Exercisable	789,474
Number of Shares, Vested and expected to vest	793,474
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Beginning Balance	$5.51
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Granted	$5.65
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$3.15
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Forfeited or expired	$5.65
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Ending Balance	$5.51
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercisable	$5.51
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Vested and expected to vest	$5.51
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Outstanding	5 years 1 month 24 days
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable	5 years 1 month 17 days
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Vested and expected to vest	5 years 1 month 24 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding, Ending balance	1,526
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	1,525
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested and expected to vest	$1,526

StockBased_Compensation_Fair_V

Stock-Based Compensation - Fair Value of Stock Appreciation Rights Estimated, Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model (Detail) (Performance-Based Stock Appreciation Rights [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate, Minimum	1.35%	1.81%
Expected life (years)	6 years	6 years
Risk-free interest rate, Maximum	1.82%	1.94%
Expected dividends	$0	$0
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Estimated volatility factor	64.63%	67.34%
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Estimated volatility factor	64.04%	67.05%

StockBased_Compensation_Summar2

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Restricted Stock Units (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending balance	$0
Time-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance	90,255
Number of Shares, Granted	61,070
Number of Shares, Vested	-90,255
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance	61,070
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning balance	$6.66
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$6.55
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$7.04
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending balance	$5.99
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance	321,525
Number of Shares, Granted	76,375
Number of Shares, Vested	-137,129
Number of Shares, Forfeited or expired	-15,673
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance	245,098
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning balance	$6.41
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$6.14
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$6.09
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited or expired	$6.21
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending balance	$6.51

StockBased_Compensation_Fair_V1

Stock-Based Compensation - Fair Value of Market Performance Units Estimated, Monte Carlo Simulation Model (Detail) (Performance Units [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share Based Payment Award Stock Options Valuation Assumptions [Line Items]
Expected dividends	$0	$0
Minimum [Member]
Share Based Payment Award Stock Options Valuation Assumptions [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate, Minimum	0.21%	0.09%
Estimated volatility factor, Minimum	35.00%	40.00%
Maximum [Member]
Share Based Payment Award Stock Options Valuation Assumptions [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate, Maximum	0.81%	0.79%
Estimated volatility factor, Maximum	39.00%	45.00%

Net_Loss_Attributable_to_ORBCO2

Net Loss Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. Common Stockholders - Summary of Basic and Diluted Calculations of EPS (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders	($2,882)	($441)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic number of common shares outstanding	70,238	53,213
Dilutive effect of grants of stock options, unvested SAR's and RSU's and shares of Series A convertible preferred stock	0	0
Diluted number of common shares outstanding	70,238	53,213
Earnings per share:
Basic	($0.04)	($0.01)
Diluted	($0.04)	($0.01)

Net_Loss_Attributable_to_ORBCO3

Net Loss Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. Common Stockholders - Summary of Net Loss Attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. Common Stockholders (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc.	($2,873)	($431)
Preferred stock dividends on Series A convertible preferred stock	-9	-10
Net loss attributable to ORBCOMM Inc. common stockholders	($2,882)	($441)

Satellite_Network_and_Other_Eq2

Satellite Network and Other Equipment - Summary of Satellite Network and Other Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$223,950	$212,401
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	-35,489	-31,780
Property, plant and equipment, net	188,461	180,621
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	381	381
Satellite Network [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	117,662	116,444
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	-137
Satellite Network [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	1 year
Satellite Network [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	10 years
Capitalized Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	8,648	7,013
Capitalized Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	3 years
Capitalized Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	7 years
Computer Hardware [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	3 years
Property, plant and equipment, gross	3,200	2,761
Other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	6,270	4,703
Other [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	2 years
Other [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	7 years
Assets under Construction [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$87,789	$81,099

Satellite_Network_and_Other_Eq3

Satellite Network and Other Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization expense	$3,846	$1,337
Accumulated depreciation	35,489		31,780
Internal-use Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Company capitalized costs attributable to the design and development of internal-use software	892	628
Amortization of internal-use software	377	186
Satellite Network [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated depreciation	$137

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Components of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$39,870
Additions through acquisitions	62,837
Other adjustments	27
Ending balance	$102,734

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 01, 2015	Jan. 16, 2015
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$62,837
Weighted-average amortization period intangible assets	10 years 3 months 18 days
Amortization of intangible assets	2,609	462
SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	57,480
Acquired intangible assets			67,214
Insync, Inc [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	5,357
Acquired intangible assets				5,879
Customer Lists [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-average amortization period intangible assets	10 years 6 months
Customer Lists [Member] | SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-average amortization period intangible assets	10 years
Acquired intangible assets			59,371
Customer Lists [Member] | Insync, Inc [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-average amortization period intangible assets	14 years
Acquired intangible assets				5,056
Patents and Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-average amortization period intangible assets	9 years 3 months 18 days
Trade Names and Trademarks [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-average amortization period intangible assets	7 years 7 months 6 days
IDP Technology [Member] | SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-average amortization period intangible assets	10 years
Acquired intangible assets			6,781
IDP Technology [Member] | Insync, Inc [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-average amortization period intangible assets	10 years
Acquired intangible assets				632
Trademarks [Member] | SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-average amortization period intangible assets	5 years
Acquired intangible assets			1,062
Trademarks [Member] | Insync, Inc [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted-average amortization period intangible assets	10 years
Acquired intangible assets				$191

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Components of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets, Cost	105,167	$32,013
Finite lived intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	-8,288	-5,679
Finite lived intangible assets, Net	96,879	26,334
Customer Lists [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets, Cost	86,277	21,850
Finite lived intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	-4,996	-2,939
Finite lived intangible assets, Net	81,281	18,911
Customer Lists [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life (years)	5 years
Customer Lists [Member] | Range One [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life (years)	7 years
Customer Lists [Member] | Range Two [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life (years)	10 years
Customer Lists [Member] | Range Three [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life (years)	12 years
Customer Lists [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life (years)	14 years
Patents and Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets, Cost	15,947	8,473
Finite lived intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	-2,701	-2,259
Finite lived intangible assets, Net	13,246	6,214
Patents and Technology [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life (years)	5 years
Patents and Technology [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life (years)	10 years
Trade Names and Trademarks [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets, Cost	2,943	1,690
Finite lived intangible assets, Accumulated amortization	-591	-481
Finite lived intangible assets, Net	2,352	$1,209
Trade Names and Trademarks [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life (years)	3 years
Trade Names and Trademarks [Member] | Range One [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life (years)	5 years
Trade Names and Trademarks [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life (years)	10 years

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets5

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Estimated Annual Amortization Expense for Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2015 (remaining)	$7,907
2016	10,516
2017	10,366
2018	10,329
2019	10,316
Thereafter	47,445
Finite lived intangible assets, Net	$96,879	$26,334

Accrued_Liabilities_Components

Accrued Liabilities - Components of Accrued Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued compensation and benefits	$5,888	$4,453
Warranty	2,089	1,470
Corporate income tax payable	300	455
Contingent earn-out amount	1,123	1,115
Accrued satellite network and other equipment	1,707	1,188
Accrued inventory purchases	2,532	475
Milestone payable	5,460	5,460
Accrued interest expense	1,003	1,083
Accrued acquisition-related costs		417
Accrued credit facility financing fees	86	734
Accrued professional fees	699	448
Accrued airtime charges	1,479
Other accrued expenses	4,654	3,038
Total accrued liabilities	$27,020	$20,336

Accrued_Liabilities_Summary_of

Accrued Liabilities - Summary of Accrued Warranty Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Balance at January 1,	$1,470	$2,199
Warranty liabilities assumed from acquisition	450	96
Amortization of fair value adjustment of warranty liabilities acquired through acquisitions	-12	-19
Reduction of warranty liabilities assumed in connection with acquisitions	-174	-250
Warranty expense	404	60
Warranty charges	-49	-196
Balance at March 31,	$2,089	$1,890

Deferred_Revenues_Summary_of_D

Deferred Revenues - Summary of Deferred Revenues (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Abstract]
Service activation fees	$3,835	$3,411
Prepaid services	2,299	2,509
Prepaid product revenues		15
Warranty revenues	144	169
Total deferred revenue	6,278	6,104
Less: current portion	-3,936	-3,525
Long-term portion	2,342	2,579
Total deferred revenue	$6,278	$6,104

Note_PayableRelated_Party_Addi

Note Payable-Related Party - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)	EUR (€)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Principal balance of the note payable		€ 1,138		€ 1,138
Carrying value note payable	$1,241		$1,389
Note payable estimated life	6 years	6 years

Note_Payable_Additional_Inform

Note Payable - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jan. 04, 2013
Debt Obligations [Line Items]
Interest expense	$1,242,000	$2,000
Secured Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt Obligations [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs	4,721,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs	219,000
Capitalization of interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs	1,285,000
Amounts outstanding under Revolving Credit Facility	0
Net availability under the Revolving Credit Facility	10,000,000
Secured Credit Facilities [Member] | Credit Agreement [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Obligations [Line Items]
Interest rate, Description	Base rate plus 3.75%
Interest rate, Percentage	3.75%
Secured Credit Facilities [Member] | Credit Agreement [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Debt Obligations [Line Items]
Interest rate, Description	LIBOR plus 4.75%
Interest rate, Percentage	4.75%
Secured Credit Facilities [Member] | Credit Agreement [Member] | Interest Rate Floor [Member]
Debt Obligations [Line Items]
Interest rate, Description	LIBOR floor of 1.00%
Interest rate, Percentage	1.00%
Maximum [Member] | Secured Credit Facilities [Member] | Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Obligations [Line Items]
Issuance of senior secured notes			160,000,000
Consolidated leverage ratio	5
Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Obligations [Line Items]
Issuance of senior secured notes			10,000,000
Minimum [Member] | Secured Credit Facilities [Member] | Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Obligations [Line Items]
Consolidated leverage ratio	1
Consolidated liquidation cost	7,500,000
Senior Notes [Member] | Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Obligations [Line Items]
Debt instrument, description	Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lender provided secured credit facilities (bthe Secured Credit Facilitiesb) in an aggregate amount of $160,000 comprised of (i) a term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $70,000 (the bInitial Term Loan Facilityb); (ii) a $10,000 revolving credit facility (the bRevolving Credit Facilityb); (iii) a term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $10,000 (the bTerm B2b), the proceeds of which were used on January 16, 2015 to finance the InSync Acquisition; and (iv) a term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $70,000 (the bTerm B3b), the proceeds of which were used on January 1, 2015 to finance the SkyWave Acquisition. Proceeds of the Initial Term Loan Facility and Revolving Credit Facility were funded on October 10, 2014 and were used to repay in full the Companybs Senior Notes and pay certain related fees, expenses and accrued interest, as well as for general corporate purposes.
Secured Credit Facilities , Maturity period	5 years
Initial Term Loan Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Obligations [Line Items]
Issuance of senior secured notes			70,000,000
Term B2 [Member] | Secured Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt Obligations [Line Items]
Interest expense	1,242,000
Term B2 [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Obligations [Line Items]
Issuance of senior secured notes			10,000,000
Term B3 [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Obligations [Line Items]
Issuance of senior secured notes			70,000,000
9.5% Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Obligations [Line Items]
Issuance of senior secured notes				45,000,000
Debt issuance costs	1,390,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs		70,000
Note bears interest rate	9.50%
Maturity date	4-Jan-18
Senior Notes, redemption date	10-Oct-14
9.5% Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Obligations [Line Items]
Leverage ratio	4.5
9.5% Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Obligations [Line Items]
Available liquidity	$10,000,000
Leverage ratio	1

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock issued, shares	70,441,671	70,441,671	70,109,488
Common stock, capital shares reserved for future issuance	7,702,729	7,702,729
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock dividends issued		902
Dividends in arrears	$9
Performance Units [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock issued, shares				54,801

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	Segment
Segment Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segment	1
Maximum [Member]
Segment Information [Line Items]
Percentage of foreign revenue	94.30%

Segment_Information_Summary_of

Segment Information - Summary of Revenues on Percentage Basis by Geographic Regions (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Information [Line Items]
Revenues on a percentage basis by geographic regions, based on the country	100.00%	100.00%
United States [Member]
Segment Information [Line Items]
Revenues on a percentage basis by geographic regions, based on the country	58.00%	80.00%
South America [Member]
Segment Information [Line Items]
Revenues on a percentage basis by geographic regions, based on the country	14.00%
Japan [Member]
Segment Information [Line Items]
Revenues on a percentage basis by geographic regions, based on the country	2.00%	6.00%
Europe [Member]
Segment Information [Line Items]
Revenues on a percentage basis by geographic regions, based on the country	18.00%	9.00%
Other [Member]
Segment Information [Line Items]
Revenues on a percentage basis by geographic regions, based on the country	8.00%	5.00%

Income_taxes_Additional_Inform

Income taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax provision	$477,000	$173,000
Goodwill generated from amortization of tax goodwill from acquisitions	84,000	63,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	0
Unrecognized tax benefits, period change	0
Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions	0
International Operations [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Foreign income tax expense	$587,000	$110,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

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

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 21, 2012

Sep. 21, 2012

Mar. 31, 2015

Jun. 30, 2014

Apr. 13, 2015

Jul. 14, 2014

Apr. 30, 2014

5-May-08

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2011

Aug. 23, 2011

Mar. 20, 2014

Apr. 18, 2014

Aug. 31, 2010

Satellite

Satellite

Satellite

Satellite

Agreement

First Amendment [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Procurement agreement contract price excluding optional satellites

117,000,000

Second Amendment [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Procurement agreement contract price excluding optional satellites

117,000,000

Falcon 9 Agreement [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Contract price

42,600,000

4,000,000

Number of satellites

17

Potential future milestone payments

6,390,000

Contract original price

46,600,000

Milestone payments

0

Falcon 9 Agreement [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Contract price

42,600,000

OG2 Satellite Procurement [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Number of satellites

6

Procurement Agreement Five Additional Task Order [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Procurement agreement fixed price contract amount

2,700,000

Launch Plus One Year In Orbit Insurance Coverage for First Launch of Six Satellites [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Insurance coverage on launch of satellite program

66,000,000

Launch Vehicle Flight Only Insurance Coverage for First Launch of Six Satellites [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Insurance coverage on launch of satellite program

22,000,000

First Launch of Six Satellites [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Premium cost for launch of satellite

9,953,000

Launch Plus One Year In Orbit Insurance Coverage for Second Launch of Eleven Satellites [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Insurance coverage on launch of satellite program

120,000,000

Launch Vehicle Flight Only Insurance Coverage for Second Launch of Eleven Satellites [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Insurance coverage on launch of satellite program

22,000,000

Second Launch of Eleven Satellites [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Premium cost for launch of satellite

16,454,000

Percentage of premium as to aggregate premium

5.00%

Procurement Agreement [Member] | SNC [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Incentive payments

1,500,000

Number of satellites

8

LEO satellites

18

Amount of credit available

1,528,000

Additional task order agreements

2

Liquidated delay damages

3,900,000

Potential future milestone payments

37,440,000

Procurement Agreement [Member] | Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Unused credits granted

2,060,000

2,060,000

2,089,000

Procurement Agreement [Member] | Launch Activities [Member] | SNC [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Cost reimbursable

4,110,000

Procurement Agreement [Member] | Engineering Changes [Member] | SNC [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Cost reimbursable

317,000

Procurement Agreement [Member] | Airtime [Member] | Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Credits provided

8,000

8,000

Procurement Agreement [Member] | Airtime [Member] | Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) [Member] | Europe [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Credits provided

3,736,000

Maximum [Member] | Procurement Agreement [Member] | SNC [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Contract price

$117,000,000

Delayed shipset

120 days

Number of satellites

30

Minimum [Member] | Procurement Agreement [Member] | SNC [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Delayed shipset

60 days

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 10, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Shelf registration statement declared effective date	14-Apr-15
Subsequent Event [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Securities		$200