Reliability of structures for the moon

The subject of risk and reliability for lunar structures is extended and critical issues deliberated. Here, we begin to attempt to tackle the problem of reliability in the face of large uncertainties. It is proposed that reliability be considered from a decision science perspective, where optimal solutions can be formulated and economic cost (and benefit!) becomes part of the objective function. A tensile structure is briefly considered as an example in order to become more specific on the general introductory comments.