A method and system is disclosed for determining a flight characteristic of an object in a flight path, the flight characteristic to be determined can be the object's position while in flight, a linear velocity, a rotational velocity or an acceleration of the object. In one embodiment, the method comprises arranging a radiation source in a plane, the plane being located to intersect the flight path of the object. The radiation source irradiates the object at least at the intersection with the flight path. The object is provided with at least first and second surface features having a predetermined configuration such as, for example, equally spaced parallel lines painted on the surface of the object. Reflected radiation from the object is measured with a sensor from the surface features and a flight characteristic of the object is determined based on the measured reflected radiation and the predetermined configuration of the surface features.