Tonight’s new Nova explores the chapter of manned flight that predates the Wright brothers – and goes back to 18th-century hot-air balloons, which were all the rage in Paris – and all the rage of visiting American Benjamin Franklin, who saw in airborne manned balloon flights the future of both travel and warfare. Using materials approximating those of the first flight, on Nov. 21, 1783, Nova takes to the skies to recreate that original liftoff. Tune in to see whether Franklin’s enthusiasms were well-placed – or full of hot air. Check local listings.