Author Topic: L2 Membership Q&A Section - 2023 Update (Read 192884 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 08/06/2023 04:40 am »

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/l2/

Here's some helpful answers to any potential questions about your L2 membership, from joining, to renewing. Also, you can ask questions covered or if you require any additional clarification.

1) Why do I need a username?

A) The forum software requires you to be logged in so it knows you're a L2 member (a setting we add to your profile when you join) to give you access to the L2 sections.

2) Why did you move L2 subscriptions to the NSF Store?
https://shop.nasaspaceflight.com/products/nsf-l2-subscription

A) We previously used just a Paypal link. A number of people wanted to join L2 but didn't want to use that avenue. With subscriptions now in the store, you have multiple options (including Paypal) and it centralizes and aligns better with how we use your support to push NSF forward.

3) Where does my support money go?

Unlike a lot of space sites, a parent company does not own NSF. As such, all revenue into NSF gets reinvested into the production of NSF content. Thanks to the store format, there is next to no service fee cut, so NSF benefits far more than - for example - super chats on YT, which are still amazing and gratefully received, but Google takes a big cut.

4) Why is L2 in the format of a forum?

A) Multiple reasons, from it being a similar format to those who have previously accessed the open forum areas, through to the ability of our forum to host images, video and downloadable pdfs and files - something that requires an external link you have to click on the likes of Reddit. Everything is hosted on NSF servers here.

It also allows you to discuss the info, ask questions, see additional context in the replies, etc. All L2 threads start with actual L2 content, with a few set discussion threads to keep the update sections clean of nonupdate posts. This helps it become interactive and very useful when people savvy in the subjects covered via content add their own posts.

5) I'm in L2 and I see the vast amount of photos being uploaded and some I really like. Do I get to keep those even if my subscription ends?

A) Yes. You could join for L2, download everything (it'd take you more than two months because L2 is a massive database of content that's been built since 2005 (covering space flight from the 1950s to today) and you'd get to keep it after your access expires at the end of your term.

6) Can I repost any L2 content on other sites/social media?

A) No, that would be a breach of your membership. No member-only area of any site allows public reposting.

7) What if I wanted to gift a L2 membership to a friend or relative? Can I do that?

A) Yes! L2 subscriptions only require a paid subscription and a username:
More on "gifting": https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=44470.0

8 ) What is this Lifetime people keep talking about?

A) Lifetime L2 was at the request (over 10 years ago) from members who were renewing year on year. A one off price for lifetime L2, never needing to renew again). More details on that option are available to both current L2 members and anyone (it's rare, but it's happened) who wants to jump in. I'd recommend you test L2 out first, of course.

L2 Lifetime also includes Lifetime access to our NSF Member Discord (a Capcom or above YT Membership Perk), via an invite with some extra discord channels related to NSF L2.

9) Is L2 worth it? I mean, is it?

A) Yes (well, I would say that). I'll set up a thread (link to come) for L2 members to say what they like about it so you can get a more balanced view. But yes

10) I think I did it wrong when trying to join. I need help.

A) Totally here for you. You can DM/PM me here. E-mail me [email protected] - DM me on Twitter (I have open DMs: https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight - heck you know I'm always about, so fire me a message. I'll help you for sure.

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Any questions not covered? Add them below! Main ones will be copied into this top post.

InfiniteQuantum · « **Reply #1 on:** 03/08/2024 02:43 am »

I have purchased an L2 2-month membership, but I still have no access to the L2 forums. Please advise

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #2 on:** 03/08/2024 02:46 am »

Quote from: InfiniteQuantum on 03/08/2024 02:43 am

I have purchased an L2 2-month membership, but I still have no access to the L2 forums. Please advise

It's not automatic, I upgrade you based on the notification of new L2 member, but it was five minutes

Though it gives me the opportunity to note what's in the overview that it is myself who upgrades L2 members so it can be up to eight hours if I ever get that much sleep, ever

lacross · « **Reply #3 on:** 04/07/2024 08:08 pm »

Stupid question
im a new here, how can i purchase it?

catdlr · « **Reply #4 on:** 04/08/2024 12:24 am »

Quote from: lacross on 04/07/2024 08:08 pm

Stupid question
im a new here, how can i purchase it?

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/l2/

Scroll to the bottom.

Spaceguy5 · « **Reply #5 on:** 05/13/2024 09:24 pm »

Are y'all no longer honoring space industry L2 upgrades? When did that policy change go into effect?

Gary NASA · « **Reply #6 on:** 05/14/2024 12:21 am »

I'm a free space industry (NASA) member and I'm very thankful for it. L2 is an amazing place to keep informed and without the fast moving posts of the open forum. Far more info heavy in there too and NSF does an amazing job with the content, which is why NSF is leading the pack for NASA and commercial coverage. You should message Chris as the forum software can sometimes interact with cookie and setting where one of the team will need to refresh your profile. Always a good sign to see industry members instantly missing their L2 access.

Andy USA · « **Reply #7 on:** 05/14/2024 03:11 am »

This has been resolved.

Spaceguy5 · « **Reply #8 on:** 05/14/2024 03:12 am »

Quote from: Andy USA on 05/14/2024 03:11 am

This has been resolved.

Thanks!!

motokenzo. · « **Reply #9 on:** 06/12/2024 12:39 pm »

I purchased L2, was approved and have access to forums BUT no cool orange N over in discord? Trying to get my orange N. Thanks

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #10 on:** 06/12/2024 12:41 pm »

Quote from: motokenzo. on 06/12/2024 12:39 pm

I purchased L2, was approved and have access to forums BUT no cool orange N over in discord? Trying to get my orange N. Thanks

It was in the message I sent you when you went lifetime. Please reply to it and we can sort it

I'll message you again and highlight that line.

ras391 · « **Reply #11 on:** 09/02/2024 01:26 am »

Love it.

1vor · « **Reply #12 on:** 01/12/2025 06:59 am »

Didn't know where else to post. but yeah... (Jay Bee on YT)

How do all o/

smndk · « **Reply #13 on:** 01/22/2025 07:14 pm »

I have a lifetime L2 membership. Does it give access to NSF member discord? If so, how do I get an invite? 😃

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #14 on:** 01/22/2025 07:16 pm »

Quote from: smndk on 01/22/2025 07:14 pm

I have a lifetime L2 membership. Does it give access to NSF member discord? If so, how do I get an invite? 😃

It does, lifetime discord access with the L2 lifer role.

I'll PM you, but to answer the question, when you go lifetime it's an option to gain the invite in the confirmation. If you're a lifetime from pre-Discord (L2 has been running since 2006), just message me and I'll hook you up

unclemortynom · « **Reply #15 on:** 06/10/2025 02:56 pm »

How long does access to L2 forums take? I bought the 2 months but forums still nothing.

I put my username in too so not sure if i did something wrong.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #16 on:** 06/10/2025 02:59 pm »

Quote from: unclemortynom on 06/10/2025 02:56 pm

How long does access to L2 forums take? I bought the 2 months but forums still nothing.

I put my username in too so not sure if i did something wrong.

You're in now, you did it right.

It's not automated. I get a notification and I personally check the details and upgrade people into L2. In this case it was four minutes after you signed up

Metalskin · « **Reply #17 on:** 08/25/2025 08:08 pm »

A question re members Youtube for NSF. From memory the Youtube members videos are mirrored in L2, but I assume that is limited to completed streams and not live streams.

Is there a way for L2 members to access things like the multi-view for the starship launch without having a separate Youtube membership?

Apologies if this isn't the correct place to ask, I wasn't sure where is best to ask.

Cheers,
James

catdlr · « **Reply #18 on:** 08/25/2025 08:17 pm »

Quote from: Metalskin on 08/25/2025 08:08 pm

A question re members Youtube for NSF. From memory the Youtube members videos are mirrored in L2, but I assume that is limited to completed streams and not live streams.

Is there a way for L2 members to access things like the multi-view for the starship launch without having a separate Youtube membership?

Apologies if this isn't the correct place to ask, I wasn't sure where is best to ask.

Cheers,
James

James

The issue is not with NSF, but YouTube cannot connect to or recognize L2 members. HOWEVER, Lifetime L2 members have access to NSF on Discord, and once there, you can open the Multi-view player in Discord as a separate tab on your browser, and there are two sets of multi-view options. You can talk to other members on your headphones, which you can't do on YouTube. More fun.

Tony

kencolangelo · « **Reply #19 on:** 11/15/2025 06:42 pm »

How do I access the pre-show and post show videos for something like Flame Trench?
I'm an L2 member but I don't seem to see them anywhere.
Thank you!

Jason A · « **Reply #20 on:** 11/15/2025 06:49 pm »

Quote from: kencolangelo on 11/15/2025 06:42 pm

How do I access the pre-show and post show videos for something like Flame Trench?
I'm an L2 member but I don't seem to see them anywhere.
Thank you!

The Flame Trench is on NSF's youtube channel and there are youtube perk levels there.

L2 is the NSF website, not youtube. You got the better deal by the way.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #21 on:** 11/15/2025 06:52 pm »

Yeah, there is no way for Youtube to integrate with the website to know "Oh, L2 member, ok I will give certain additional access to youtube things". That's why we'd never advertise L2 as having access to Youtube membership perks.

The hack around it is where you go L2 lifetime, which comes with an additional perk of being lifetime on our NSF member discord, which also manually streams those pre-post shows in the discord.

catdlr · « **Reply #22 on:** 11/15/2025 08:12 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 11/15/2025 06:52 pm

Yeah, there is no way for Youtube to integrate with the website to know "Oh, L2 member, ok I will give certain additional access to youtube things". That's why we'd never advertise L2 as having access to Youtube membership perks.

The hack around it is where you go L2 lifetime, which comes with an additional perk of being lifetime on our NSF member discord, which also manually streams those pre-post shows in the discord.

And all you L2 Life'ers wondering, What!!. Where can I see them on Discord? Then here is the link to the NSF Discord Livestream Channel:

https://discord.com/channels/672560401225089025/1003025918232633478

(Every NSF Livestream is listed here, as well as the free ones, but the Member Multiview and Flame Trench videos are there too, just do some scrolling.)

BlueAquilae · « **Reply #23 on:** 11/20/2025 01:56 pm »

Hello NSF Team,

This is my first post of the forum, I've discovered your work on x.com.
Incredible source of marvel.

I'm working on an EdTech software and looking to use real artist work instead of AI.

Some low definition pictures, 1000px.

What would be the best subscription to promote NSF photography?

It's a small one man project, early on project and planned distribution next year.

Thanks for any inputs!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #24 on:** 11/20/2025 06:41 pm »

Honestly, based on what you've seen on X, the best want to promote it is to RT, or quote RT (as opposed to reuploading yourself). That really helps the photographer!

Though the question was not L2 related, L2 is where the full-res photos (and a whole lot more, like 90 percent more than NSF tweets) reside.

I daren't even look at that the database size is now as you see how many posts I've made on NSF, most of them are photo posts in L2

L2 members will know what I mean!

BlueAquilae · « **Reply #25 on:** 11/20/2025 07:24 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 11/20/2025 06:41 pm

the best want to promote it is to RT, or quote RT (as opposed to reuploading

Hi!

There's a misunderstanding I don't want to use twitter, I've my own creation, an Education software dedicated to space and would like to discuss how to use and promote your pictures inside with authorization.
L2 could be the database where I can pick subjects.

ChrisC · « **Reply #26 on:** 11/23/2025 05:01 am »

Chris B, I think he threw you with his incorrect use of the word "promote". He's asking what the mechanism is for him to use your/NSF's L2 imagery inside his educational software. Surely he can't literally just take the images and stick them in his software with no coordination with NSF. Tell him how he can, whether it's money or credit or a special dispensation from you ... I'm sure you have a process for this, like you do for mainstream media orgs.

AndrewM · « **Reply #27 on:** 12/15/2025 01:39 am »

Quote from: BlueAquilae on 11/20/2025 07:24 pm

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 11/20/2025 06:41 pm
the best want to promote it is to RT, or quote RT (as opposed to reuploading

Hi!

There's a misunderstanding I don't want to use twitter, I've my own creation, an Education software dedicated to space and would like to discuss how to use and promote your pictures inside with authorization.
L2 could be the database where I can pick subjects.

I think the best way to get that question answered is by reaching out to [email protected] as identified in the Content Use polict.

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content-use-policy/

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #28 on:** 12/15/2025 01:52 pm »

Quote from: ChrisC on 11/23/2025 05:01 am

Chris B, I think he threw you with his incorrect use of the word "promote". He's asking what the mechanism is for him to use your/NSF's L2 imagery inside his educational software. Surely he can't literally just take the images and stick them in his software with no coordination with NSF. Tell him how he can, whether it's money or credit or a special dispensation from you ... I'm sure you have a process for this, like you do for mainstream media orgs.

Thanks, yeah. L2 content is not to be hosted externally anywhere.