Charles Starowesky was aboard the USS Aubrey Fitch on January 28, 1986 when Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds into flight.

Deployed by the U.S. Coast Guard, Starowesky and his fellow guardsmen were the first to arrive at the waters below the explosion. The Aubrey Fitch, soon to be joined by eight other Navy and Coast Guard vessels, was tasked with recovering the wreckage -- evidence for the forthcoming investigation into what had claimed the life of seven American astronauts.

Thirteen years later, Starowesky posted his Challenger "souvenir" to the online auction site eBay with hopes of cashing in on his morbid memorabilia.

"I wouldn't be selling but have found myself in a bit of financial distress," wrote Starowesky in his lot description.

Set at a minimum bid of $199, Starowesky offered the tile, along with 40 pictures he took during the recovery efforts. He also offered to include a copy of the letter he received from the Coast Guard commander awarding him and his crew the Coast Guard Unit Commendation Award for helping with the recovery effort.

Starowesky described the offering as the "ultimate Christmas gift for the space enthusiast or collector."

Ultimately, 15 tons of debris from Space Shuttle Challenger was recovered. The remainder -- 55 percent of the Challenger itself, 5 percent of the crew cabin and 65 percent of its satellite cargo -- still rests on the ocean floor.

During the investigation it was discovered that the black thermal tiles, much like the type Starowesky pocketed, provided very important clues. As each was serialized, NASA was able to locate tiles that were nearest to the suspected leak in the right booster.

Whether Starowesky's personal piece of the explosion would have helped is unknown. With the investigation long over and the cause now known, the government's concern over Challenger wreckage is now more out of respect for the lost crew.

As NASA never relinquished ownership of the spacecraft, possession of Challenger debris translates to theft of government property. All parts recovered today are interred with the original wreckage in two abandoned missile silos at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

After being alerted to the auction, NASA's Office of the Inspector General demanded the tile's return.

Though Starowesky claimed ignorance ("I had no idea it was illegal to possess or sell this item, and would gladly return [it] to proper authorities."), he plead guilty in a U.S. District Court on August 22, 2000. The former guardsman was charged with violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 641 (theft of government property) almost one year after listing the tile for sale.

Sentenced to a two-year probation, Starowesky could have received steeper sentence -- a maximum $10,000 fine, 10 years in prison or a combination of both.

With the advent of online auction sites (such as eBay) the marketplace for memorabilia connected to tragedies has expanded. Recent interest in items such as the Titanic and Nazi war memorabilia has brought more Challenger wreckage material to the surface.

While Starowesky's case is the most recent to be reported, NASA has pursued other recovered fragments.

Another individual used eBay to sell an alleged "authentic Challenger O-ring" in January 1999. That auction was halted by the online auction site shortly after they were alerted to the illegal nature of the item.

Those currently in possession of Challenger material are urged to contact the NASA Office of the Inspector General to arrange surrender of their debris.