Self-Healing Bioelectric Memory Architecture for Long-Duration Space Missions: A Bio-RAID Approach Using Planarian Cell Substrates

Long-duration space missions require hardware that can operate for decades without maintenance or replacement. Current biocomputing approaches use neurons as volatile substrates with limited lifespans and high maintenance needs. This study presents a novel Bio-RAID (Biological Redundant Array of Independent Data) architecture using planarian flatworm somatic cells for persistent bioelectric memory with autonomous self-healing capability. Unlike neurons, planarian cells maintain voltage patterns through morphogenetic attractors without continuous energy input and regenerate after physical damage. Computational modeling using BETSE (BioElectric Tissue Simulation Engine) demonstrates no logical errors observed in simulations and high availability under simulated extreme space radiation conditions over extended mission timescales. The system survived simulated physical damage through autonomous gap junction reformation. Results suggest that non-neural bioelectric substrates can provide persistent, self-healing data storage with fundamentally different trade-offs than silicon or neuron-based systems, suitable for space missions, deep-sea deployments, and other applications requiring decades-long operation without maintenance.