Section II, Task 1, Item 5 of FZM-2386. Energy-storing molecular products of radiation in liquid H/sub 2/ are examined from the point of view that the expulsion of potertial energy in the form of such products may lead to lower design weights for nuclear rockets. It is found that a significant fraction of the energy deposited by radiation in liquid H/sub 2/ is stored temporarily through the dissociation and excitation of H/sub 2/ molecules. Experimental and theoretical results are consistent with a rate of dissipation of such energy into thermal motion which is much slower than the rate at which the radiation products are expelled from the tank. It is shown that, if this is the case, relatively high levels of infrared radiation are to be expected but that such energy will not rapidly be translated into thermal motion. It is concluded that, insofar as radiation heating of the propellant is a significant design factor, further consideration should be given to radiation-induced reactions in liquid H/sub 2/ and that any radiation-heating experiments should be interpreted in terms of possible energy-storage effects. (auth)