Aether is a substance with no mass, but great power. Probably released after the Big Bang and has been flowing upward (relative) in space ever since. Whatever is trapped (mostly stray matter) in this upward flow eventually gets condensed into a disc. It is theorized that there are many separate aetheric flows in the universe (which means many possible disc planets), but only ours has been identified. FE scientists are currently working to find these other aetheric flows in space so that we can discover life on the discs formed by them. As you know, the resources of our disc are dwindling, and I believe this search for more life may just be an attempt to steal resources.