New technological developments make polymer matrix composite (PMC) structures more affordable. Based on an integrated design and manufacturing process (concurrent engineering) the product time and costs for PMC structures und structural components decrease due to a modular design for small satellites. However, their layered heterogeneous composition complicates the design of this kind of structures. Particularly, complex stress-strain relations occur even for geometrically simple structures because of the coupled membrane-bending properties. The design with PMC leads to new degrees of freedom, which can be optimally exploited only with the help of an efficient analytical or numerical structural analysis, e.g. a finite element analysis (FEA). As a practical example of a FEA of PMC strutures, the design of a carbon-fibre reinforced boom for a small satellite is presented. The cylindrical boom can be manufactured using the winding technology. While doing so, the fibre orientation of the individual layers is selected according to the specific application, so that the demands on stiffness and damping are satisfied.