Use of the GOES Data Collection System is regulated, by law, to the collection of environmental data by U.S. federal, state, and local government agencies, and by international government agencies and research organizations with a U.S. government sponsor.
A prospective user must first apply for and be granted a System Use Agreement (SUA) by NESDIS, which is typically renewable every 5 years (1 year for manufacturers). Once the SUA has been approved and signed, the user must purchase equipment that has been certified to be compatible with the GOES DCS.