-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BiFvd6ZDRUTnv5LdI+xpXBZ9JtT38xlIarwK9yRKJdpwHcbuKE4HZAIfE/cQxKyR
 7F1LtY2y/GW+atqYGeipGQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000919574-06-003234.txt : 20060811
<SEC-HEADER>0000919574-06-003234.hdr.sgml : 20060811
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060811151626
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000919574-06-003234
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060809
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060811
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060811

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FALCONE PHILIP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001233569

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23044
		FILM NUMBER:		061024681

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2125216972

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		555 MADISON AVE
		STREET 2:		16TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HARBERT RAYMOND J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001233571

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23044
		FILM NUMBER:		061024680

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2125216972

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE RIVERCHASE PARKWAY SOUTH
		CITY:			BIRMINGHAM
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35244

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LUCE MICHAEL D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001233573

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23044
		FILM NUMBER:		061024679

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2125216972

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE RIVERCHASE PARKWAY SOUTH
		CITY:			BIRMINGHAM
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35244

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MOTIENT CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000913665
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMMUNICATION SERVICES, NEC [4899]
		IRS NUMBER:				930976127
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 KNIGHTSBRIDGE, PKY.
		CITY:			LINCOLNSHIRE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60069
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8474784200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 KNIGHTSBRIDGE, PKY.
		CITY:			LINCOLNSHIRE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60069

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AMERICAN MOBILE SATELLITE CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19931019

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HARBERT MANAGEMENT CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001259933

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23044
		FILM NUMBER:		061024682

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE RIVERCHASE PARKWAY SOUTH
		CITY:			BIRMINGHAM
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35244
		BUSINESS PHONE:		205-987-5500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE RIVERCHASE PARKWAY SOUTH
		CITY:			BIRMINGHAM
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35244
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>p694317_ex.xml
<DESCRIPTION>HARBERT/MOTIENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-08-09</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000913665</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MOTIENT CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MNCP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001259933</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HARBERT MANAGEMENT CORP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE RIVERCHASE PARKWAY SOUTH</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BIRMINGHAM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>35244</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001233569</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FALCONE PHILIP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>555 MADISON AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>16TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001233571</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HARBERT RAYMOND J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE RIVERCHASE PARKWAY SOUTH</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BIRMINGHAM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>35244</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001233573</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LUCE MICHAEL D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE RIVERCHASE PARKWAY SOUTH</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BIRMINGHAM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>35244</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6360417</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-08-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.39</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>500000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These securities are owned by Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. (the &quot;Master Fund&quot;).  These securities may be
 deemed to be beneficially owned by Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. (&quot;Harbinger Management&quot;), the
 investment manager of the Master Fund, HMC Investors, L.L.C., its managing member (&quot;HMC Investors&quot;), Harbert Management
 Corporation (&quot;HMC&quot;), the managing member of HMC Investors, Philip Falcone, a member of HMC and the portfolio manager of the
 Master Fund, Raymond J. Harbert, a member of HMC, and Michael D. Luce, a member of HMC.  Each such Reporting Person
 disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of his or its pecuniary interest therein, and
 this report shall not be deemed an admission that such Reporting Person is the beneficial owner of the securities for
 purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or for any other purpose.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These securities are owned by Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. (the &quot;Special Situations Fund&quot;).
 These securities may be deemed to be beneficially owned by HMC, Philip Falcone, Raymond J. Harbert and Michael Luce.  HMC
 wholly owns the managing member of the Special Situations Fund's general partner.  Philip Falcone is the portfolio manager
 of the Special Situations Fund and is a member of HMC.  Raymond J. Harbert and Michael D. Luce are members of HMC.  Each
 such  Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of his or its
 pecuniary  interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that such Reporting Person is the beneficial
 owner of the  securities for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or for any other
 purpose.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Harbert Management Corporation By: /s/  Joel B. Piassick</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-08-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Philip Falcone</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-08-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Raymond J. Harbert</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-08-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michael D. Luce</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-08-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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