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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 /lf7t2LXZJTHVV7mvG2lvQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001261750-03-000001.txt : 20031007
<SEC-HEADER>0001261750-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20031007
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031007132414
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001261750-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030716
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031007

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CROFT DANIEL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001261750

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23044
		FILM NUMBER:		03931047

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 KNIGHTSBRIDGE PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		MOTIENT CORP
		CITY:			LINCOLNSHIRE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60069

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:		10802 PARKRIDGE BLVD
		CITY:			RESTON
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			20191-5416
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7037586000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10802 PARKRIDGE BLVD
		CITY:			RESTON
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			20191-5416

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AMERICAN MOBILE SATELLITE CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19931019
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-16</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001261750</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CROFT DANIEL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>300 KNIGHTSBRIDGE PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LINCOLNSHIRE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60069</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sen VP, Marketing &amp; Bus Devel.</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>5.15</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-07-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-07-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option vests in three equal annual installments beginning on July 16, 2004.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Daniel Croft</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-10-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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