Is There in Truth No Beauty? - S3-E5
Other mistake: In the final scene, Kirk is still in the transporter room, but does not have on a visor when the ambassador transports out. Even if he did, humans can still go mad if wearing one and that's why Spock operates the transporter. Spock has his visor on, but then you see Kirk walk out of the transporter room without a visor and he is not going mad.
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