TiPS satellite observation from Houston, TX

I observed the TiPS tethered satellites passing next to the star Zeta
Hercules on July 16, 2004 at 10:13:15 PM CDT (predicted time). The
two end satellites were clearly visible in a 11X80 finder scope, but
they were closer to each other than I remember seeing last time I
observed them. The tether between them was not obvious, they
were close enough together and moving fast enough that I did not
really notice the tether. The last time I observed TiPS with the same
scope (maybe 5 years ago) the tether was brighter and appeared
much longer. I think tonight I was seeing the tether foreshortened
as I must have been seeing it nearly end-on rather than
perpendicular. Viewing conditions were partly cloudy, with typical
light-polluted Houston skies.