Preface to Space Debris - Thematic Issue of Advances in Space Research.

During the past 15 years, apart from specific workshops, the IADC plenary meetings and the European Conferences on Space Debris organized at the ESA's European Space Operations Centre (ESOC), the main international forums for the presentation and discussion of current scientific and technical research concerning space debris have been the International Astronautical Congresses and the COSPAR Scientific Assemblies. The 35th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, held in Paris on 1825 July 2004, was not an exception, with a very fruitful and interesting scientific meeting (PEDAS1/ B1.6 Space Debris), organized by Walter Flury (Main Scientific Organizer) and Nicholas L. Johnson (Deputy Organizer). Sponsored by the European Space Agency (ESA), the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, the scientific meeting on ''Space Debris'', held on 2224 July 2004, consisted of five sessions, four devoted to oral presentations and one to posters, chaired by T. Donath, P.W. Kervin, G. Drolshagen, J.-C. Mandeville, F. Alby, F. Schaefer, L. Anselmo, P. Anz-Meador and R. Jehn. Of a total of 39 oral presentations and 10 posters accepted in the final program, 37 oral presentations (including 12 solicited contributions) and five posters were actually presented at the meeting.