Continuity mistake: When Kirk informs Galileo that all systems are clear for takeoff, in the shot from inside the shuttlebay as Galileo turns to launch, the shuttlecraft Columbus is also in the hangar deck, but when Galileo exits Enterprise the Columbus is gone in the exterior shot. (00:01:45)
Continuity mistake: In the first scene when Spock is piloting the shuttle craft out of the Enterprise and into space, as the bay doors open you can see both the ship's shuttles, the Galileo, and right behind it the Columbus. Yet as soon as the Galileo clears the bay doors, in the immediate reverse shot, the bay is empty and the Columbus has disappeared. (00:01:45)
Continuity mistake: After Spock tells Boma and Gaetano that he's in command and they should fire only to frighten, not to kill, one of the creatures throws a spear and then his shield at the trio, and when the shield hits the ground it's much smaller than the huge shield lying on the ground in the next close-up. (00:23:15)
Character mistake: In the scene when the shuttle is finally repaired and lifting off the planet, Spock asks "Fuel status?" and Scotty incorrectly answers "15 pounds PSI, sir. Approximately enough for one orbit." The correct answer would be simply "15 PSI" without the redundancy, as the P in PSI already signifies pounds. As an engineer Scotty would know this. (00:42:00)
Visible crew/equipment: After Spock has jettisoned Galileo's fuel and ignited it, when it cuts to the bridge aboard Enterprise the shadow of the camera/equipment can be seen moving across the helm console.
Visible crew/equipment: After Spock asks Scotty if there's enough battery power to electrify the exterior of the ship, Spock tells everyone, "Get to the center of the ship. Don't touch the plates. Be sure you're insulated," and just as Spock turns in the rear compartment we can see the edge of the shuttlecraft set behind Spock.
Continuity mistake: As Kirk speaks with Commisioner Ferris, Kirk's hands go from holding a piece of equipment to being straight down by his side, back to holding the equipment.
Revealing mistake: As Spock carries the crewman, the second spear hits a rock. As it does, you can see the Styrofoam chips fly up.
Revealing mistake: After Spock finds Gaetano's body he carries him back to the shuttle, and in the interior shot as McCoy and Boma carry Gaetano's body to the back, we can see though the shuttlecraft's doorway the top of the set's blue backdrop.
Continuity mistake: Latimer falls down face down but when picked up he is already face up.
Revealing mistake: The stuntman playing Latimer is obvious when he falls after being hit in his back with the creature's spear.
Visible crew/equipment: As the camera swings around to simulate the crewman's gaze, the top of the background is visible for a second until the camera pans down.
Continuity mistake: While Kirk questions Spock about his command decision on the Galileo, shots of Uhura and Mears show the ladies close together at Uhura's station with Mears' hands hidden but close up shots of McCoy show Mears and Uhura in the background further apart from each other and Mears' hands in front of her body.
Continuity mistake: As the Galileo re-enters the atmosphere, you can see Scotty in the copilot chair. His hair is parted on the left side, but in the interior shot, it's parted on the right.
Chosen answer: If they're in orbit, they're being pulled along by the planet's gravity well, therefore, impulse engines would only be used for minor corrections and would be "on standby" while in orbit, but not active. (Like keeping your car idling without revving the engine and creating plumes of exhaust).
Captain Defenestrator
Thank you for the info.
Movie Nut