Coordination of minor planet orbital studies: Past,present and future

A brief account is given of the coordination of astrometric observations and orbital studies of minor planets, particularly with regard to the role played in the past by the Astronomisches Rechen-Institut. The current situation is surveyed and thoughts are presented on future requirements.Presented at Frickefest, a colloquium held in Austin, Texas, on March 27, 1985, in honor of Walter Fricke on the occasion of his retirement as director of the Astronomisches Rechen-Institut in Heidelberg.