Cosmology is directly linked to the theory of everything (TOE) which itself is linked into the know forces, gravity, electromagnetism, strong and weak. The more we know about these forces, then the more we know about the universe in which we live. This knowledge helps us in space travel, orbital mechanics, photon propagation and such. Sadly there is probably much more effort being spent on learning to beat casinos than in learning to live in the universe. I am impressed by what the cosmologists have accomplished and I hope they continue their hard work.