Revealing mistake: At the end, a special effects matte flaw causes the rear tip of the starboard side nacelle to vanish briefly as the Enterprise orbits Scallos. (00:45:50)
Revealing mistake: In the Enterprise lab, as a sped up Spock goes to move away from McCoy and Chapel, McCoy's eyes follow his movements rather than looking at where Spock was supposed to be after he "disappeared."
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