Continuity mistake: During Spock's Court Martial, Chekov says that General Order 4 is the only exception to Starfleet's no-death-penalty policy, and Sulu and the others agree. However, according to "The Menagerie," that exception is General Order 7, not 4.
Continuity mistake: Lt. Galloway, who was killed off the season before in "The Omega Glory," is resurrected without explanation for this final episode. (00:24:25)
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