In September 2006, he was selected as one of two final candidates to undergo astronaut training in Star City as part of the Angkasawan program.

Faiz received his early education in St. John's Institution, Kuala Lumpur.

In 2007, Sheikh Muszaphar was selected to fly to the International Space Station with Expedition 16 on board the Soyuz TMA-11 in October 2007.

[2] On 22 October 2007, Faiz was promoted to a Major in the Malaysian Armed Forces.

Faiz retired from Malaysian Armed Forces with last rank Major late 2013.