This petition requests a tailored and systematic approach toward human settlement on Mars. There is considerable interest in the scientific and engineering community regarding a Mars-based long-term habitat.
In order to bolster public support for funding of said project, immediate plans should be made to establish permanent astronaut presence at both the L2-Earth/Moon Lagrangian point and lunar environment. This will evolve the J.F.K. goal in May 25, 1961 of "landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth".
The Mars landing and habitat plans are a long-term goal of perhaps 30-40 years or more of concerted development. Plans must made for a stepping-stone approach via NASA for objectives regarding such ambitions. Community involvement and relations are paramount.