While New Shepard is best known as a space tourist vehicle, 19 of its 28 flights to date have been uncrewed. The reusable rocket-capsule combo last flew people on Nov. 22, a mission that sent "The Space Gal" Emily Calandrelli and five other folks to the final frontier.

Blue Origin's NS-29 New Shepard rocket will launch on Jan. 28 at 11:30 a.m. EST (1630 GMT) if all goes well. Here's what to know

"The payloads will experience at least two minutes of lunar gravity forces, a first for New Shepard and made possible in part through support from NASA."