This thermal protection insulates the stage's cold cryogenic propellants against the warmer external environment. To replace the missing piece of insulation, Ariane 5 will be moved on its mobile launch table back to the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building, where a new block of thermal protection will be installed. Once the new piece is in place, the adhesive requires approximately 36 hours for its drying/curing process.
Both the launcher and the Rosetta spacecraft remain in a 'safe' mode.
Resumption of the Flight 158 countdown is planned at the beginning of next week.