A Taste of Armageddon - S1-E24
Plot hole: The ambassador and his aide beam down to the planet. This would not be possible because earlier on Scotty refused to lower the screens/shields until the Captain told him to do so. It had already been established in an earlier episode titled "Arena" that transporters don't work with screens up. (00:32:40)
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