# Could you protect a crew from space radiation with fuel?

Are there big differences in the amount of radiation if you would put the crew compartment (on the journey to Mars) inside the LOX/LH2 fuel tank? I know that there are similarities with other question, but this is only meant with its own rocket fuel.

• I don't know what kind of fuel you're thinking of, but I know I wouldn't want to ride in the fuel tank. – called2voyage Oct 12 '15 at 17:55
• LOX/LH2.. I only wonder, if this Could be possible... – mars72 Oct 12 '15 at 18:01
• So your habitat would have to be designed to prevent implosion instead of rupture. – called2voyage Oct 12 '15 at 18:16
• But would LOX or LH2 prevent it from radiation?....nearly as good as water? – mars72 Oct 12 '15 at 18:26
• @called2voyage if your in space and there is an explosion in your fuel tank does it really matter where you are in relationship to the tank? – James Jenkins Oct 13 '15 at 14:42

• Another important part of that disadvantage is LH2's low density: 70.85 $kg/m^3$ instead of water's 1000 or ice's 917.