This clause refers to any thin conductive or non-conductive flexible cable, deployed from a spacecraft or used to join two parts of a spacecraft together.
Many of the characteristics of tether systems are related to the electrical interaction with the environment and fall within the scope of this standard. However, tethered missions are still experimental and very rare. Hence quantitative requirements are mission-specific. The requirements in this clause are not detailed or exhaustive but cover the common aspects that can be expected in such missions.