Composite materials have been studied and used for decades in the space industry because of their specific properties, which allow the designing of satellite structures that are both lightweight and robust. The development of the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) small satellite market over the last two decades has led to the need to design new structures in order to address the challenges of miniaturization and maximization of payload capabilities. This thesis has studied whether composite structures are suitable to endure the low Earth orbit environment and whether they can offer substantial benefits compared to traditional aluminum structures. Among composite materials, the focus has been put on Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) because of their high performance and versatility.