The objective of this diploma thesis is to perform a conceptual lay-out of a small launcher. Re- quirements have been defined in order to realize this first preliminary study and design of a small launcher. In that frame, a MATLAB code has been written in order to simulate the rocket tra- jectories. An optimization program on launcher staging has been written as well. To validate this code, the VEGA and Ariane 5 launchers have been used. Then from studies on existing launchers, simulations have been performed in order to find an optimum small launcher and later on to design more precisely the small launcher. As a requirement an upper stage has been newly designed for the purpose of the study. At the end, two small launchers have been considered: a three-stage launcher using the Zefiro 23 as a first stage, the Zefiro 9 as a second stage, and an upper stage using a 3kN thrust engine; a two-stage launcher using the Zenit booster engine in the first stage, and an upper stage using a 22kN thrust engine.