Continuity mistake: When the Enterprise tries to escape Gothos, and the planet blocks the ship's path each time, Gothos is very transparent, where the stars could be seen through the planet.
Continuity mistake: After swiping at Trelane to score a hit, which Trelane avoids easily, Kirk throws the sword away, which hits a bush as it falls. When Trelane calls up another sword, the bush suddenly stops moving.
Continuity mistake: After DeSalle tries, and fails, to call the ship, he shakes his communicator, and the grille closes, but is opened again in the wide shot.
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