How did NASA reinvent the space suit?

NASA recently awarded a $500 million contract to two companies for the development of a new space suit for astronauts. The feature that makes it a game changer — beyond even the life support system or computer linked back to earth — is modularity. The new plug-and-play design will cut significantly down on weight:

Previously, to fly inside a rocket/space shuttle or do a space/moon walk required two separate suits. (The latter weighing 300 pounds alone.) By contrast, the Constellation has arms and legs that can be used for any mission. But the torso can be switched out, for either greater mobility inside a craft, or greater ruggedness outside it. In addition, for space walks, a kevlar sleeve protects the exterior from tiny meteors.

The new suits should be online before 2020.