We propose that stellar-mass binary black holes like GW150914 will become a tool to explore the local Universe within $\sim 100\mathrm{Mpc}$ in the era of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). High calibration accuracy and annual motion of LISA could enable us to localize up to $\approx 60$ binaries more accurately than the error volume of $\approx 100{\mathrm{Mpc}}^3$ without electromagnetic counterparts under moderately optimistic assumptions. This accuracy will give us a fair chance to determine the host object solely by gravitational waves. By combining the luminosity distance extracted from gravitational waves with the cosmological redshift determined from the host, the local value of the Hubble parameter will be determined up to a few % without relying on the empirically constructed distance ladder. Gravitational-wave cosmography would pave the way for resolution of the disputed Hubble tension, where the local and global measurements disagree in the value of the Hubble parameter at $3.4\sigma$ level, which amounts to $\approx 9\%$.

• Received 26 September 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.95.083525