Yes the Russian cosmonauts would use that frequency 143.625 in FM mode to communicate with the Russian control center in Moscow. Wallops was the ground station for the communication since the Russians did not have ships or their own ground station for the western hemisphere portion of their orbits. White Sands New Mexico was the western portion of the Western Hemisphere space to ground loop on VHF. Many people were looking for the passes of the MIR space station at night thanks to an effort being put forward by the National Space Society. Some history of the National Space Society can be found here.
Since I was a member, I contacted them about how I was able to hear the MIR on any pass over my area (when the cosmonauts were awake) on a handheld scanner on 143.625. That started a several year project for me of helping them - help their other members not only see the MIR but also listen on daylight radio passes. Many were able to watch the space station pass overhead and listen on their radio at the same time. Using "primitive" software I was able to produce and mail (yes using the USPS) printouts to deliver expected radio and visual passes based on the the person's location and current satellite data obtained from NASA. It was a worthwhile endeavor and gave me my 15 minutes of fame (being interviewed live on a radio talk show in Philadelphia and interviewed for newspaper article). Both events expanded the scope of the project and I worked hand in hand (well via mail and the telephone) with Aleta Jackson - NSS Chapters Administrator. Aleta opened some doors for me that would not have been available including introducing me to astronauts and others involved in the space industry. Her bio is here
Have great memories of the late 80's and early 90's - being involved with and talking to people involved in the space industry. I still have a recording I made of one radio pass when one of the cosmonauts was playing his balalaika on 143.625
Terry
