Nasa's Shuttle STS-75 demonstrates how attempts to place hi technology out of the earth's gravity well will continue to attract the attention of ETVs and off planet intelligences. Given that most missions to place satellite systems into space go without a hitch it is possible that the NASA tether/satellite system was experimenting with Electromagnetic induction in the earths Ionosphere. This explains the confusion the narrator has at the sheer size and luminescence of the tether once it had "accidently broken off". Systems such as HAARP are already creating ELF/EMP/plasma fields in the earths upper-atmosphere.

In addition, has the use of advanced, embargoed technologies caused conflict between above-government, terrestrial factions or off-planet, monitoring intelligences resulting in these possibilities?

Tether footage and collective NASA  denial - Everything you see is space debris.

Original UV and Reichian Researcher Trevor J Constable Discusses the Incident 

Tether mission data here