Continuity mistake: Throughout the entire episode the planet's sky is red, yet during the scenes where the clouds come and lightning strikes, it becomes obvious that they simply used stock footage of Earth's clouds, since the sky is blue. (00:11:50)
Visible crew/equipment: When Vaal is not fed and he starts spewing smoke everywhere, you can see a volcano type firework going off just inside his mouth. (00:43:55)
Continuity mistake: When Kirk gives the order to Scott for transport, Spock lies in a diagonal position with the yellow spores on his chest with McCoy kneeling by him. After the cut to Scott on the bridge, Spock is lying with his head towards the camera, his chest is clean, and McCoy standing about six feet to Kirk's right. All much too quickly to be normal.
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