In article SfcBb.617057$9l5.135061@pd7tw2no,
TangoMan wrote:
What happens when you are below the tether and your orbital velocity is
slower than it should be and is thus less than the pull of gravity? Will
freefall not exist in the stations or gondolas below the tether's center of
mass?

Correct, it does not. You're experiencing what are otherwise known as
tidal effects. For very sensitive experiments, this can be an issue even
in sizable structures like ISS -- the locations of the ISS lab modules
within the station were chosen with this in mind.

Also, above the tether's c.o.m. would gravity be pulling you "upwards" away
from the Earth?

Correct again, although it's more properly a gravity *gradient* that's
pulling you upward.
--
MOST launched 30 June; first light, 29 July; 5arcsec | Henry Spencer
pointing, 10 Sept; first science, early Oct; all well. |