Abstract: A system is disclosed for locating a moving object, comprising a transmitter transmitting light flashes, connected to the moving object and a charge transfer and frame transfer photosensitive detector disposed in a fixed station and connected by electronic means, the transmitter and the detector being driven by individual, initially synchronized time bases. From time to time, but preferably periodically, the duration of an integration time of said detector is reduced to a value at most equal to the duration of the light flashes, so that said corresponding light flash occurs at least partially during the preceding transfer time or following said reduced integration time and said electronic means calculate the relative time drift between said time bases from the light trace formed by said flash on said matrix detector and use this calculated drift for re-setting the time base of the detector with respect to that of the transmitter.