The asymptotic characteristic initial value problem for Einstein’s vacuum field equations as an initial value problem for a first-order quasilinear symmetric hyperbolic system

Abstract The asymptotic characteristic initial value problem for Einstein’s vacuum field equations where data are given on an incoming null hypersurface and on part of past null infinity is reduced to a characteristic initial value problem for a first-order quasilinear symmetric hyperbolic system of differential equations for which existence and uniqueness of solutions can be shown. It is delineated how the same method can be applied to the standard Cauchy problems for Einstein’s vacuum and conformal vacuum equations.