Character mistake: Lt. Joey said to Lt. Sulu "You don't outrank me and you don't have pointed ears" but Joey is a junior grade lieutenant so Sulu would outrank him.
Revealing mistake: As the bridge crew monitors Psi 2000 on the view screen, a glitch in the special effects matte makes the planet vanish briefly and then reappear - twice. (00:12:30)
Continuity mistake: Initially, the Enterprise orbits Psi 2000 as the planet turns westward. But in later shots, on the bridge view screen, the planet has reversed directions and now turns eastward. (00:04:05 - 00:12:00)
Visible crew/equipment: As Spock swings the scanner around, as it points toward the camera position, the camera equipment is reflected on the chrome plate on the front.
Visible crew/equipment: When Spock walks into the briefing room, he stands in front of the closed doors telling himself that he's in control of his emotions, and when he says, "My duty," the shadow of the boom mic can be seen moving across the wall at the top of the screen. (00:36:40)
Other mistake: In the Briefing Room, while Kirk is feeling the effects of the disease, Spock tells Scotty that he will call the restart formula in from the bridge. But just a moment later, Kirk enters the Bridge, and Spock is in the Engine Room working on the settings and formula with Scotty.
Continuity mistake: As Scotty starts prying the panel open, it's with a tool in his right hand, and the thumb of his left. After the cut, he's suddenly holding it in his right hand.
Other mistake: After Scotty makes his remarks to Spock, he raises his phaser. The sparks start up before Scotty levels his phaser.
Revealing mistake: As Spock gets to to the helm position, the whole console visibly wobbles as he hits the controls.
Continuity mistake: As Christine goes to put the respirator in place, she uses her right hand. After the cut, it's her left that puts it in place.
Continuity mistake: As Bones works on Joe's injury, a red light turns on over his head shining down on the area, illuminating his hair. A second later, the red is gone, then back.
Continuity mistake: The indicators radically change positions when Spock gets on the bio bed.
Continuity mistake: When Sulu confronts the men in the corridor, his epee goes from perfectly straight to having a slight crook, then back to straight when he appears on the bridge.
Continuity mistake: As Joe draws back and stands up, he pulls a knife. First, it's sharp side up, then it's suddenly blade down.
Continuity mistake: In the opening, the crewman gets a few drops of the infectant on his hand, but the reddish mass on the wall remains. On the ship, when the spectral view is shown, the red mass is nowhere to be seen.
Continuity mistake: When Sulu first emerges on the Bridge, Kirk confronts him, and standing a couple feet from the rapier. A second later, Kirk's a few inches from it.
Other mistake: In the Transporter room, as the Decontamination field is used, the shuttered lighting casts not only on Spock and Joe, but on the walls surrounding the chamber.
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