In recent years, an increased effort to design, build, and operate small satellites has taken place in universities and laboratories all over the world. These micro-satellites (or nano-satellites) provide numerous flight opportunities for science experiments at a fraction of the cost of larger traditional missions. This paper provides an overview of the various small satellites that are built by various universities and organisations throughout the world. This also deals with the detail description and comparison of the various satellite structures. This will provide valuable data for the structural designers as well as material selection and weight savings on future missions.

Key words: Nano-Micro-Mini Satellites, Satellite Subsystem, Skinframe-Truss-Monocoque Structures, Isogrid-Honeycomb- Multifunctional-Modular Special Structures.