I didn't read their comment as "drains the battery", more like "slows your computer down and eventually freezes". That could still be fine if you anticipate it

I didn't read their comment as "drains the battery", more like "slows your computer down and eventually freezes". That could still be fine if you anticipate it (and as you said, it's a prototype) and the control system (throttle, rudder) doesn't depend on it.