Launched in 2023, the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) spacecraft from the European Space Agency is currently in its cruise phase, which comprises several activities, such as gravity assists, instrumentation checkouts, and instrument (science and calibration) observations. The lunar–Earth gravity assist was the first Juice flyby, but it was also the first of its kind – double-gravity assists, providing a unique opportunity for Juice's instruments to make rare observations in preparation for the scientific phase in the Jupiter system. This special issue compiles publications from the Juice instrument teams with results from observations made during the lunar–Earth gravity assist or from its preparation using data from earlier checkouts.

Review process: all papers of this special issue underwent the regular interactive peer-review process of Annales Geophysicae handled by members of the editorial board as well as guest editors designated by the ANGEO editors-in-chief.