  Recent cosmological observations of unprecented accuracy, by WMAP in
particular, have established a `Standard Model' of cosmology, just as LEP
established the Standard Model of particle physics. Both Standard Models raise
open questions whose answers are likely to be linked. The most fundamental
problems in both particle physics and cosmology will be resolved only within a
framework for Quantum Gravity, for which the only game in town is string
theory. We discuss novel ways to model cosmological inflation and late
acceleration in a non-critical string approach, and discuss possible
astrophysical tests.
