The ship contains similar glyphs to what was placed on Voyager 1, a spacecraft sent into deep space. The symbols and records are meant to convey what humanity is, who we are and where we live in case it ever got picked up by some alien civilization.
As Grace is exploring the ship for the first time after being awoken, he finds these. The only reason Nasa would put one of these on a ship was if it was never made to return to earth. Which is exactly what was intended for the Hail Mary.
by MrHarpoon
1 Comment
The mission was a suicide mission from the start. It was no secret that it was not meant to return, though we don’t know that in the book or movie right away. The only reason there was the chance to return to earth is because rocky happened to be there and had more than enough astrophage to spare. Otherwise, there was no way for Grace to return to earth.
But I do see your point being a viewer and not having that context, that it is a way of foreshadowing the storytelling.