The Corbomite Maneuver - S1-E11
Continuity mistake: Spock states that the Fesarius (Balok's ship) "must be a mile in diameter". Yet any one of the small spheres that make up the Fesarius dwarfs the Enterprise. If the Enterprise is about 300m long, the Fesarius would have to be around 6 km in diameter - considerably larger than a mile.
The Corbomite Maneuver - S1-E11
Continuity mistake: As Balok's 10 minutes are counting down, McCoy comes onto the bridge wearing a standard blue velour uniform. A few minutes later, when Spock says he can bring up Balok's image, McCoy is suddenly wearing his medical tunic with the different fabric and collar. Then when Bailey starts losing it, McCoy is back in the regular velour costume again.
The Corbomite Maneuver - S1-E11
Continuity mistake: After they've blasted the cube, Kirk and Spock are discussing repairs on the bridge. Spock's earpiece is in place one minute, but vanishes the next when the camera angle changes. (00:13:30)
The Corbomite Maneuver - S1-E11
Visible crew/equipment: After the Fesarius destroys the recorder marker, when Balok declares that Enterprise must also be destroyed, in the next wide shot two tape marks are visible on the floor, one in front of Kirk's feet and another near Bailey. (00:21:50)
The Corbomite Maneuver - S1-E11
Continuity mistake: As McCoy first appears from the elevator behind Kirk, then follows him in, his hairline changes from a widow's peak to straight across.
The Corbomite Maneuver - S1-E11
Continuity mistake: When the cube first meets the Enterprise, it's spinning clockwise on its axis. Later, it's spinning counter-clockwise.
The Corbomite Maneuver - S1-E11
Continuity mistake: While beaming to the alien ship, McCoy has his hands on his knees. When materializing, they are beside his thighs.
The Corbomite Maneuver - S1-E11
Revealing mistake: In Kirk's quarters, as he touches the desk top comm panel, it noticeably slides a little rather than being fixed in place.
The Corbomite Maneuver - S1-E11
Continuity mistake: As the bridge shakes after the object is destroyed, Bailey's chair goes from tilted to upright between angles.
The Corbomite Maneuver - S1-E11
Continuity mistake: The cube holding the ship in place is spinning counter clockwise, from left to right, on its axis. When the camera is looking at the bridge, the colors are going from left to right, rather than right to left to match the cube's movement.
The Corbomite Maneuver - S1-E11
Other mistake: When Kirk is in sickbay with McCoy he uses sickbay's desktop monitor to contact Spock on the bridge, then when Kirk is in his quarters he uses his own desktop monitor to contact Spock again. Both have the same paint dings and smudges around the console screens, revealing the same one was used during filming. (00:04:30 - 00:06:30)
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