Astronaut Bodies Dispute Ends

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Air Force, resolving a dispute over who should have jurisdiction over the remains of Challenger’s astronauts, will permit representatives of the Brevard County medical examiner’s office to be present when the remains are examined, the office said today.

Remains of the seven astronauts killed when Challenger exploded 73 seconds after launch Jan. 28 were brought ashore secretly Saturday night by a salvage ship that came in without running lights, sources said. State law requires the local medical examiner to conduct an autopsy on any person who is slain or dies by accident.