A susceptor apparatus for use in a CVD reactor includes a main platter with a central gear. The main platter has opposite first and second sides, a central recess formed in the second side, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart pockets formed in the first side. The central gear is positioned within the central recess and the satellite platters are individually rotatable within the respective pockets. Each pocket has a peripheral wall with an opening in communication with the central recess. The central gear teeth extend into each of the pockets via the respective wall openings and engage a planet gear associated with each satellite platter. Rotation of the main platter about its rotational axis causes the satellite platters to rotate about their individual rotational axes.