A laser tracker for continuous tracking of a reflecting target and for determining the distance to the target is provided. The laser tracker may include a base defining a standing axis, a beam steering unit for emission of a measuring radiation and for receiving at least a part of the measuring radiation reflected by the target. The beam steering unit is motorized to be pivotable relative to the base around the standing axis and a tilt axis extending substantially orthogonal to the standing axis. Furthermore, the tracker has a distance measuring unit configured as an interferometer for determining a change in distance to the target by means of interferometry, an interferometer laser beam source for generating the measuring radiation for the interferometer and an angle measurement functionality for determining an alignment of the beam steering unit relative to the base. The interferometer laser beam source may be configured as a laser diode.