A geodetic measuring system with • a geodetic measuring unit (30, 40, 50), in particular a total station, theodolite, laser tracker or laser scanner, with ∘ a beam source for emitting a substantially collimated optical beam (32, 42, 52, 82), ∘ a base, ∘ a sighting unit which can be pivoted by motor about two axes relative to the base for aligning an emission direction of the optical beam (32, 42, 52, 82) and ∘ angle measurement sensors for determining the alignment of the sighting unit, ∘ and with a ranging functionality, • a self-propelled, unmanned, controllable aerial vehicle with an optical module (22, 25), wherein the aerial vehicle is designed in such a way that the aerial vehicle can be moved in a controlled fashion and/or positioned at a substantially fixed position, and • an evaluation unit, wherein the evaluation unit is configured in such a way that it is possible to determine an actual state of the aerial vehicle in a coordinate system, determined by a position, an alignment and/or a change in position, from an interaction of the optical beam (32, 42, 52, 82) with the optical module (22, 25), wherein it is possible to take account of an actual position of the aerial vehicle when determining the actual state, characterized in that • the measuring system comprises a control unit for controlling the aerial vehicle, wherein the control unit is configured in such a way that, on the basis of an algorithm depending on the actual state, which can in particular be determined continuously, and a defined intended state, control data can be produced and the aerial vehicle can be brought into the intended state, in particular into a defined tolerance range about the intended state, in an automatically controlled fashion by means of the control data, and • the optical module (22, 25) is embodied by a reflector which specifies the actual position of the aerial vehicle and the beam (32, 42, 52, 82) can be reflected by means of the reflector, wherein the optical module (22, 25) is configured for reflecting the beam (32, 42, 52, 82) in such a way that a distance from the measuring unit (30, 40, 50) to the aerial vehicle can be determined by means of reflecting the beam (32, 42, 52, 82) at the optical module (22, 25) and the actual position of the aerial vehicle is derivable, in particular continuously, from the distance and the emission direction of the beam (32, 42, 52, 82). • a geodetic measuring unit (30, 40, 50), in particular a total station, theodolite, laser tracker or laser scanner, with ∘ a beam source for emitting a substantially collimated optical beam (32, 42, 52, 82), ∘ a base, ∘ a sighting unit which can be pivoted by motor about two axes relative to the base for aligning an emission direction of the optical beam (32, 42, 52, 82) and ∘ angle measurement sensors for determining the alignment of the sighting unit, ∘ and with a ranging functionality, ∘ a beam source for emitting a substantially collimated optical beam (32, 42, 52, 82), ∘ a base, ∘ a sighting unit which can be pivoted by motor about two axes relative to the base for aligning an emission direction of the optical beam (32, 42, 52, 82) and ∘ angle measurement sensors for determining the alignment of the sighting unit, ∘ and with a ranging functionality, • a self-propelled, unmanned, controllable aerial vehicle with an optical module (22, 25), wherein the aerial vehicle is designed in such a way that the aerial vehicle can be moved in a controlled fashion and/or positioned at a substantially fixed position, and • an evaluation unit, wherein the evaluation unit is configured in such a way that it is possible to determine an actual state of the aerial vehicle in a coordinate system, determined by a position, an alignment and/or a change in position, from an interaction of the optical beam (32, 42, 52, 82) with the optical module (22, 25), wherein it is possible to take account of an actual position of the aerial vehicle when determining the actual state, • the measuring system comprises a control unit for controlling the aerial vehicle, wherein the control unit is configured in such a way that, on the basis of an algorithm depending on the actual state, which can in particular be determined continuously, and a defined intended state, control data can be produced and the aerial vehicle can be brought into the intended state, in particular into a defined tolerance range about the intended state, in an automatically controlled fashion by means of the control data, and • the optical module (22, 25) is embodied by a reflector which specifies the actual position of the aerial vehicle and the beam (32, 42, 52, 82) can be reflected by means of the reflector, wherein the optical module (22, 25) is configured for reflecting the beam (32, 42, 52, 82) in such a way that a distance from the measuring unit (30, 40, 50) to the aerial vehicle can be determined by means of reflecting the beam (32, 42, 52, 82) at the optical module (22, 25) and the actual position of the aerial vehicle is derivable, in particular continuously, from the distance and the emission direction of the beam (32, 42, 52, 82).